Air India on Tuesday expressed ‘regret’ for failing to ensure flight timings refund for flight cancellation and rescheduling during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic after the US government ordered it to pay $121.5 million in refunds along with a $1.4 million fine.
“We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused to customers and accept the fine,” the Tata-owned airline said in a statement.
The delayed refund pertains to the period when the government sold the national carrier to Tata Sons in January this year.
Air India is among six airlines that have agreed to pay a total of $600 million in refunds, the US Department of Transportation said in a press statement on Monday.
The airline also reiterated its public appeal, asking passengers to reach out in case of pending refunds, including those from the period prior to its privatisation.
The airline has already processed a total of 25,000 cases worth $18.30 million, besides implementing a new system to process refund requests within a week.