Boarded flight, asked to get off: Kochi passenger gets ₹1.22 lakh compensation

Kochi: The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed an airline to pay ₹1.22 lakh in compensation to a passenger after he was deplaned from a flight citing technical issue, despite having already boarded and taken his seat.

The complaint was filed by TP Salim Kumar, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and resident of Nettur, Ernakulam. The incident occurred on December 14, 2019, when Salim Kumar had booked a ticket on a flight from Mumbai to Kochi. After boarding and taking his seat, he was reportedly asked to deplane due to a technical issue.

The airline initially assured him that he could travel on another flight the same day, with full reimbursement of the ticket and arrangements for meals and rest. However, Salim Kumar was only accommodated on the next-day flight, without the promised facilities.

Further complicating matters, the airline offered complimentary access to the airport lounge but then demanded ₹2,150 for food and other services consumed there before boarding, reportedly refusing him entry until the payment was made. The passenger also claimed he was dropped off from the shuttle bus in public, causing public humiliation.

The airline defended its actions, citing technical issues as the reason for deplaning. While they offered a ₹10,000 travel voucher and ₹10,000 as ex-gratia, the complainant rejected the compensation.

The commission, led by D.B. Binu, along with members V. Ramachandran and T.N. Sreevidhia, concluded that the airline had failed in providing proper service and directed it to pay ₹1.22 lakh to Salim Kumar.