Kochi: Qatar Airways has been fined Rs 7.5 lakh by the Ernakulam Consumer Court for refusing to accommodate a passenger on their flight. The complaint was filed by High Court judge Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, who sought compensation for being denied boarding despite holding a valid ticket for a trip to Scotland.

The incident in question dates back to 2018 when Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, then serving as a senior advocate in the High Court, had made advance bookings for a trip to Scotland with his friends. However, upon reaching Cochin International Airport on the day of travel, he was issued a ticket from Kochi to Doha, followed by Doha to Edinburgh. Unfortunately, Qatar Airways subsequently informed him that flights from Doha to Edinburgh were no longer available, citing overbooking as the reason.

Displeased with this situation, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas approached the Consumer Court to seek redress. After careful consideration, the court ruled in favour of the complainant, ordering Qatar Airways to pay a compensation amount of Rs 7 lakh. The court further mandated that if the payment is not made within four months, it should be paid along with accrued interest.