Consumer disputes body asks Indigo to pay flier Rs 30k compensation

Hyderabad: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-II Hyderabad directed the Indigo Airlines to pay compensation of Rs 30,000 to a man from Hyderbad for failing to inform him the cancellation of a flight, Siasat reported.

The airlines has been ordered to pay the compensation in 45 days from March 28 and was told that if the deadline is not kept, an interest rate of 12 per cent will be levied.

The plainant, Surya Kant Trivedi booked a flight to Chennai which was scheduled from the airport for 10:05 am. But the cancellation message was sent to him 4:31 am only the same morning. Also, he saw the message only at 8:00 am when he was on his way to airport, the complaint stated.

This has resulted in him missing the meeting which was scheduled for 2pm on the same day, the complainant said. Also, he had booked a hotel for Rs 7,800 which is also not refundable.

Later, the Indigo Airlines responded to his claims that the flight was cancelled due to operational issues and the refund of the airfare was initiated. It also stated that it informed the passenger about the cancellation of flight in advance.

However, the Commission found that there were no proof that the flight was cancelled due to operational constraints since the company had flown other flights. It also noted that the airlines did not provide the passenger alternate arrangements for his journey.