SpiceJet ordered to pay Rs 22K to man for delayed flight

New Delhi: SpiceJet has been directed by a consumer forum to pay compensation worth Rs 22,000 to a visually-challenged man whose flight from Kathmandu to Delhi was delayed by over four hours.

The South West District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum said the Chennai-based low-cost airline had given no evidence to support its contention that the delay was due to heavy air traffic and held SpiceJet guilty of being negligent and deficient in service to Delhi resident Jaikishan Aggarwal.

"In the instant case, the opposite party (SpiceJet) took the defence that the flight was delayed due to heavy air traffic. Since no evidence has been given in support of the defence, we hold it guilty of negligence and deficiency in service," said the forum presided by Narendra Kumar.

[caption id="attachment_513811" align="alignleft" width="380"] AFP[/caption]

The bench ordered the airline to pay Aggarwal Rs 20,000 as compensation and Rs 2,000 as litigation cost.

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Aggarwal had booked tickets for himself, his wife and other family members on 9 September 2010 for a Delhi-Kathmandu round trip.

Accusing SpiceJet of being negligent and deficient in service, Aggarwal had told the forum that the airline did not provide even adequate refreshment to him and other family members during the long wait at the Kathmandu airport.

As the departure time of return flight was 10.45 am, they had arrived at the airport by 8 am, he said adding that they were initially informed that there would be a 15 minute delay in take-off, but the flight finally took-off at 3.24 pm.

In its defence, SpiceJet had referred to the terms given in the ticket and the Carriage by Air Act to contend it was not liable for damages due to delay in the flight.

It had said that Aggarwal's flight was delayed due to heavy air traffic.

PTI