Aviation Laws and Air Passenger Rights in India

The Business Dimension of Aviation Law

Business World's readership of corporate executives and business leaders makes it the ideal platform for Advocate Srijan Tiwari's analysis of aviation law from a commercial perspective. The article examines how airlines balance regulatory compliance with commercial imperatives — and how corporations whose employees are frequent flyers can better protect themselves legally.

India's aviation sector has grown at an extraordinary pace, with domestic passenger numbers crossing 100 million annually. This growth has brought with it a surge in passenger complaints — from overbooking and delays to mishandled baggage and unexplained cancellations. Understanding the legal framework is no longer just for individual travellers but is essential corporate knowledge.

Corporate Travellers and Legal Protection

For corporate travellers, the stakes in aviation disputes are often higher — missed meetings, contractual breaches, and lost business opportunities can flow from flight disruptions. Advocate Tiwari's analysis highlights the legal avenues available, including:

• Claims under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 for deficiency in service
• NCDRC proceedings for higher-value claims
• DGCA complaint mechanism for regulatory violations
• Montreal Convention claims for international flights
• Consequential loss claims in appropriate forums

Regulatory Compliance for Airlines

The article also covers the compliance obligations of airlines under DGCA's Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) — a framework that has become increasingly rigorous. Airlines face not only passenger compensation obligations but also mandatory reporting requirements and potential enforcement action for systemic failures.

Advocate Tiwari draws parallels between aviation regulatory enforcement and pharmaceutical regulatory compliance — both sectors where his regulatory expertise is relevant. In both domains, the gap between technical regulatory knowledge and legal strategy determines outcomes.