‘Passenger can’t be left remediless’: State commission enhances damages to Rs 1 lakh

Chandigarh Consumer Commission Enhances Compensation to Rs 1 Lakh

The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has held Air India Limited and Alhind Tours and Travels Private Limited jointly liable for deficiency in service for failing to inform a Chandigarh resident about cancellation of his international flight.

The case arose from a consumer complaint filed by Sohil Bhasin, a resident of Chandigarh. Bhasin was approached by a firm, Sky Bright LLC, Sharjah (UAE) to provide consultancy services and was required to attend a meeting on May 21, 2022, for which he was to receive professional fee of AED 20,000.

To reach Sharjah in time for the meeting, Bhasin booked an air ticket, dated May 20, 2022, from New Delhi to Sharjah on a flight operated by Air India Limited through Alhind Tours and Travels of New Delhi. The total ticket cost was AED 510.

However, upon arrival, he came to know that the flight scheduled for May 20, 2022, had been cancelled. According to the record, no prior intimation of cancellation had been given to him. He was thereafter compelled to purchase another ticket for May 21, 2022, by paying an additional amount of AED 270 after adjustment of the earlier fare.

Due to the delayed arrival, the complainant alleged that he could not effectively attend the scheduled meeting and claimed to have suffered loss of professional fee as well as refund of advance received. Alleging deficiency in service and unfair trade practice on account of non-intimation of cancellation and charging of additional fare, he filed a consumer complaint before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

The District Commission, while dismissing the plea against the airlines, directed the travel firm Alhind Tours and Travels to refund Rs 6,075 (AED 270) to the complainant, being the difference of amount charged from him for booking another air ticket. It also directed the travel firm to pay Rs 30,000 as compensation for mental agony and harassment and Rs 35,000 as cost of litigation.

Aggrieved by the order, Bhasin filed an appeal before the State Commission, arguing that the District Commission erred in awarding only Rs 30,000 as compensation which was wholly disproportionate to the inconvenience, harassment and professional embarrassment suffered by him.

The State Commission, partly allowing the appeal, enhanced the compensation awarded to the complainant to Rs 1 lakh for mental agony and harassment. The commission held that passengers cannot be left without remedy due to internal arrangements between an airline and a travel agent.

Importance for Students

This case highlights the importance of airlines and travel agents being transparent about flight cancellations and providing adequate compensation to passengers. It also emphasizes the need for consumers to be aware of their rights and to seek redressal in case of deficiency in service or unfair trade practices.

Category

Consumer Rights

Meta Title

Chandigarh Consumer Commission Enhances Compensation to Rs 1 Lakh

Meta Description

The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has enhanced the compensation awarded to a Chandigarh resident to Rs 1 lakh for mental agony and harassment due to the cancellation of his international flight.

Keywords

Chandigarh Consumer Commission, Compensation, Flight Cancellation, Consumer Rights

pubDateISO

2026-03-15

sourceName

The Indian Express