Air India ordered to pay Rs 3.85 lakh compensation for flight delay
Air India Adds Flights To Phuket From June 1
In a case dating back 20 years, Air India (AI) has been directed by the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission to pay Rs 3.85 lakh in compensation to a bank manager and his family.
The compensation includes Rs 1.75 lakh for the flight delay, Rs 25,000 for legal expenses, and 6% interest. The delay caused the manager to miss his connecting flight, leading to a prolonged ordeal for the family.
A bank manager and his family were travelling from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala to Dibrugarh in Assam. The journey involved connecting flights from Thiruvananthapuram to Chennai, Chennai to Kolkata, and Kolkata to Dibrugarh.
Flight Delay :
The first leg of the journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Chennai experienced a delay of about 1.5 hours due to a diversion to Coimbatore. This delay caused the manager to miss his connecting flight to Kolkata.
Air India initially arranged an alternative route for the family via Bengaluru to Kolkata and provided accommodation in Bengaluru. Subsequently, the company booked tickets for the Delhi-Dibrugarh flight with a halt in Kolkata, but this connecting flight was cancelled.
The family had to endure a considerable wait at Kolkata Airport without meals. The flight to Dibrugarh got cancelled, requiring them to stay in Kolkata until the next day. The confusion and delays led them to reach Dibrugarh on December 20, missing the initially planned arrival on December 19.
The National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission has now ruled that Air India must pay a total of Rs 3.85 lakh, addressing the inconvenience, expenses, and legal actions stemming from the delayed flight.
The case’s hearing commenced in the District Consumer Court on September 30, 2011, and the final decision has been issued, underscoring the enduring nature of consumer disputes.
This ruling serves as a reminder that airlines are accountable for providing compensation when passengers face significant inconveniences due to flight delays. The 20-year-old case highlights the persistence of consumer grievances and the importance of addressing such issues through legal channels to ensure justice.
