ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 17. Kazakhstan
introduces liability for overbooking, stated the country's main
transport prosecutor's office, Trend reports.
Passengers holding paid tickets were faced with denied boarding and
had to search for alternative options. Public dissatisfaction was
growing, and the problem required an urgent solution.
"The liability for failing to provide a seat when a ticket is
available was initially limited to international flights. However,
following the prosecutor's recommendation, the Majilis of
Parliament reviewed a proposal to amend the Code of Administrative
Offenses, extending this responsibility to domestic flights as
well," stated the prosecutor's office.
Now, violations of passenger, baggage, and cargo transport
regulations on domestic flights are subject to administrative
liability. Under the new rule, an airline can be fined 50 MCI.
50 MCI represents 50 minimum calculation indicators (MCI) used in
Kazakhstan to determine various fines, tax rates, and social
payments. One MCI in 2025 equals 3,932 tenge, or approximately
$7.48. 50 MCI is equal to $373.54.
Overbooking is the practice where airlines, hotels, cruise companies, or other service businesses sell more tickets or seats than are actually available. This is done in anticipation that not all customers will show up or use the services, thus ensuring maximum occupancy.