KPDN Wants User To Know Of Your Rights If Your Flight Is Delayed

The Ministry Of Domestic Trade and Living Cost (KPDN), shared on its social media yesterday the rights every passenger is entitled to should your flight be delayed. This comes weeks after the Batik Air flight delay that left its passengers stranded for about 8 hours with only to apologise when instructed by YB Anthony Loke, the Ministry Of Transport.

However, during the recent Air Asia low fare launch event, YB Anthony also reminded passengers to direct all such complaints on delays to the right authority being The Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) and not just to him via his social media as he is unable to handle every comments and reports directed.

So what are your rights as a paying airline passenger with regards to flight delays? According to KPDN it entirely depends on the duration of the delay to begin with.

For delays of flights two (2) hours or more, you as a passenger would be entitled to a complimentary meal, phone calls and access to the internet. Now, in this time of age most would just require the free meal and we are nowadays very well connected via our smartphones. Nevertheless you are still entitled to this, just remember.

If your flight gets delayed for five (5) hours or more, what you are entitled for significantly changes. For these scenarios you are entitled for complimentary hotel accommodation and complimentary transportation.

Now should your flight get cancelled, the airline is required to fully refund back the cost of the ticket purchased  or arrange for a mutually agreed alternative flight to the desired destination.

However, on this tweet by KPDN, we are able to see users commenting that airline operators will in most cases find ways to not incur any loses by having to entertain all this penalties due to flight delays by making all delay announcement for example in a less the two hour time block, just to keep adding on till to flight time. For example in the recent Batik Air flight delay fiasco, twitter user @sibehbnana7 reported that she had to go to the airport three (3) different times just to be told of additional delay only to fly at 6.30am (initial flight time was 10 pm the night before).

Hence, KPDN and MAVCOM need to address this matter as well for the benefit of all affected passengers. Its is also good to take note that all this compensation would not be applicable should the flight delay be due to either extreme bad weather conditions or any unforeseen safety and security issues. For any complaints or compensation requests users are advised to reach out to the airline directly or visit MAVCOM’s website for more details.