NEW DELHI, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- The upgraded version of the AirSewa web portal and mobile application was launched in the Indian capital on Monday, in a bid to further improve the process of grievance redressal of air travelers.

Launching the upgraded version, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said that a need was felt for development of an upgraded version, i.e. AirSewa 2.0, to provide a superior user experience with enhanced functionalities to the air travelers.

The minister added that the focus is now on improving the quality of air services so that passengers who are travelling have a safe and comfortable experience.

Major improvements include features such as secure sign-up and log-in with social media, improved grievance management, including social media grievances, real-time flight status and details flight schedule.

The upgraded and improved version of AirSewa operates through an interactive web portal as well as through a mobile app for both android and iOS platforms and will offer passengers a convenient and hassle-free air travel experience, said an official statement.

According to an estimate, around 50 million passengers fly every year and will grow exponentially in the near future. There was an urgent need of upgrading of AirSewa and systemic intervention in improving customer services, said junior civil aviation minister Jayant Sinha.

It was felt that in India air passengers face issues like flight delays, problem in refunds, long queues, inadequate facilities at airports and complaints of lost baggage. The ministry of civil aviation launched AirSewa web portal and mobile app in November 2016 to address this need.