It was over four years later that the proceedings before the consumer court started in a substantial manner. Justice Thomas filed an application to get a list of all the passengers on the Doha-Edinburgh flight along with the dates on which they had made their bookings.
The consumer court allowed Justice Thomas’s application on December 30, 2022.
Qatar Airlines then filed a review petition against this order. However, it was dismissed.
Bar & Bench reported on February 21, 2023 about the delay in taking up the case.
Subsequently, the case was taken up for hearing.
The forum in its order said that despite the complainant’s efforts to address the issue, their pleas were ignored, and the complainant, along with their friends, was denied boarding despite having boarding passes.
“After waiting for three hours, the opposite parties finally provided the complainant with accommodation in a hotel room and tickets for a flight to Edinburgh on the following day,” the order said.
As a result, the complainant reached their destination a day late and was barely able to make it to trekking venue on time, the forum noted.
The complainant experienced exhaustion from jet lag limiting their ability to enjoy planned sightseeing activities, and endured significant mental anguish and trauma, it said.
Therefore, the forum ruled against the airline company.
“In view of the above facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the opinion that the Opposite Parties are liable to compensate the complainant. The opposite party shall pay an amount of Rs 7,00,000/- to the complainant as compensation for the loss sustained to to complainant for the mental agony, hardship and physical stress afforded by the complainant due to deficiency of service and unfair trade practice by the opposite parties. The Opposite Party shall also pay the compensation Rs 50,000/- towards the cost of proceeding,” the order said.
Source: Barandbench
