Three international airlines have been asked to pay Rs 1,15,000 to a Mohali family, who were on a trip to Canada and the US, by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Chandigarh, The Indian Express reported. The decision has been taken over the harassment of the family during their holiday trip due to “unexpected changes in the schedule of flights” and the “loss of baggage containing daily necessities for four days”.
Understanding the distress caused by these unexpected disruptions, the Commission empathised with the family’s ordeal, as what was meant to be an enjoyable international tour turned into a nightmare.
United Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have been directed by the Commission to pay Rs 35,000 each in compensation. Additionally, Air Canada has been instructed to pay Rs 35,000 as compensation and $402.57 CAD to cover various expenses, calculated at the relevant CAD$ rate at the time of expenditure. Furthermore, Air Canada is liable for Rs 10,000 in litigation costs.
What has the family alleged?
Gagandeep Toni from Mohali alleged that he and his family had meticulously planned a vacation to Canada and the United States in June 2022, having secured international air tickets with United Airlines, The Indian Express report said. Toni recounted that just before their scheduled boarding at Delhi International Airport, United Airlines abruptly notified them of the flight’s cancellation, leaving them stranded. After enduring considerable uncertainty, the airline eventually arranged alternative flights via a different route with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Subsequently, the family entrusted their entire check-in baggage to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, containing essential items for their entire trip. However, their scheduled flight from Amsterdam was also cancelled, necessitating further alternative arrangements with the same airline. Eventually, on June 4, 2022, the family arrived in Canada with Air Canada Airlines. Toni asserted that their ordeal and distress persisted as their check-in baggage, handed over to the airlines at Delhi International Airport, went missing. Despite assurances from Air Canada, the baggage was only recovered on June 7, 2022.
The complainants stated that retrieving their baggage entailed making seven trips to the airport, causing substantial disruption to their entire trip and holiday mindset. The ordeal inflicted considerable mental stress and financial strain on them, as they incurred expenses for taxi fares to and from Vancouver airport.