AI fined for denying seat

The complainant produced an endorsement made by an employee of the airline,on the copy of the e-ticket,to confirm his time of arrival at the airport. The airline stated,however,that the complainant did not report at the designated terminal before the stipulated time and,hence,was marked as a ‘no show’ passenger. His seat was subsequently released to another passenger.

The airline,however,failed to place on record any document to prove the actual reporting time for passengers to board the flight. The forum,hence,adjudged that the airline pay Rs 25,000 to the complainant on account of deficiency in service and Rs 10,000 as litigation expenses. The forum further ruled that the company was ‘definitely causing loss to an unspecified as well as unidentified number of their customers’ and directed it to deposit Rs 2,00,000 as fine with the UT State Legal Services Authority.