The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Airlines told to pay compensation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 17, 2007
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Airlines told to pay compensation

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Third Additional Bangalore Urban District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed British Airways to pay compensation to an elderly couple for delay in flight and for not looking after the immediate needs of the affected passengers.

Roshini Eapen and J.K. Eapen were booked on the British Airways flight for their journey from Washington, Dallas, to Chennai via Heathrow, London, on November 27, 2006. The departure from Washington-Dallas was delayed by three hours due to technical problems. Consequently, the couple landed at Heathrow late and hence, missed the Chennai-bound flight.

Though the couple agreed to change their travel plans and go to Bangalore instead of Chennai where they were to visit relatives, the airline officials did not extend them phone facility to call Chennai about the new arrangement. Moreover, they found that four pieces of their baggage were missing when they landed in Bangalore on November 29. The airline took two days to deliver the missing baggage.

The Consumer Forum asked,“Is it not the obligation of the carrier to take care of the passengers not only in the air but also on the ground during the period of journey?”

Forum president N. Srivathsa Kedilaya and members Subhashini and H.M. Shivalingappa asked the airline to pay compensation of Rs. 20,000 each to the couple and Rs. 5,000 each as costs of litigation.

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