DUTCH LUFTHANSA AG Vs. VISWANATH TANTIA & ORS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal is by the OP No. 2 namely DUTCH LUFTHANSA AG. against the judgment of the District Forum thereby directing the said appellant as well as the other OP namely United Airlines to refund jointly and severally the then cost of return journey from Atlanta to Kolkata by direct flight in Indian rupees to the complainants for causing inconveniences to them and also to pay jointly and severally compensation for an amount of Rs. 3,00,000 (three lacs) for causing immense suffering to them due to inordinate delay in taking off the flight, providing substandard food and making change of flight route and for further sum of Rs. 15,000 (fifteen thousand) by way of litigation cost.

(2.) THE complainant -respondents are senior citizens who purchased two tickets from the appellant, the aforesaid DUTCH Airlines for their journey from Kolkata to Atlanta on 19th July, 2007 and back on 30th September, 2007. The United Airlines is a partner Airliner of the appellant, Dutch Airlines and both the aforesaid Airlines are members of Star Airlines formed by several Airlines who amongst themselves share the responsibility of flying passengers of each other Airlines.

(3.) IN substance, the grievances of the complainants are that the flights of the appellants both from Kolkata to Atlanta and back from Atlanta to Kolkata were delayed causing inconveniences to the complainants. They were not provided good quality vegetarian food on board during journeys both inward and outward for which they had to remain hungry for about thirty (30) hours. Furthermore, both the complainants had not been provided with wheel chairs in all the Airports even though requisition was made for wheel chairs in all the Airports while booking tickets.