Now Reading: Kerala man wins Rs 1.36 lakh compensation after Air India flight delay
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Kerala man wins Rs 1.36 lakh compensation after Air India flight delay
Kapildev, a 42-year-old driver working in Saudi Arabia, has won Rs 1,36,000 in compensation from Air India after a nine-year legal battle over a flight delay in September 2017. He was returning…
Kapildev, a 42-year-old driver working in Saudi Arabia, has won Rs 1,36,000 in compensation from Air India after a nine-year legal battle over a flight delay in September 2017. He was returning from Kerala and booked on a connecting journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Mumbai, then to Saudi Arabia. The domestic flight was delayed by more than two hours, causing him to miss his international connection.
Air India argued the delay was due to the late arrival of the incoming aircraft and said it provided refreshments and tried to arrange an alternative flight. The consumer commission ruled against the airline, stating it failed to provide sufficient evidence that the disruption was beyond its control. The commission awarded Rs 83,000 for financial losses, Rs 50,000 for mental agony, and Rs 3,000 for legal costs.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Indian Opinion Analysis: This case, though small in amount, reinforces that airlines cannot hide behind routine operational excuses to avoid liability. Under the Consumer Protection Act, a carrier must prove force majeure, not merely cite a late incoming aircraft. The ruling adds to a growing body of consumer forum decisions in India that treat flight delays as service deficiencies unless the airline shows extraordinary circumstances. For the thousands of Indian migrant workers who travel on such connecting itineraries each year, the practical lesson is to document every interaction with airline staff and keep boarding passes. The next test will be whether Air India appeals to a higher forum, which would signal if it intends to contest this principle further.
Source: gulfnews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
