a day ago
SpiceJet told to pay Rs 10,000 to passenger for two-day delay in delivering luggage
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Chandigarh has directed SpiceJet Airlines to pay Rs 10,000 to a city resident for delivering his luggage two days after the journey.
Sahib Payal, a city resident, alleged that on June 21, 2024, he had booked an e-air ticket with SpiceJet for his travel from Delhi to Ahmedabad for June 24, 2024, to appear in the exam of The Gujarat Flying School, Vadodara, Gujarat, held on June 25, 2024.
'Upon reaching the Delhi airport, the airlines issued a boarding pass, and after which he travelled from Delhi to Ahmedabad on the scheduled date. However, upon reaching Ahmedabad, I found my luggage missing/misplaced by the airlines. I reported the matter to the air staff of the airlines, and I was asked to file a Baggage Irregularity Report (BIR).
'Thereafter, I requested the airlines and their staff to explain the reasons for the delay in delivering the luggage, as I had to travel to Vadodara for my exam. After waiting for some time, when I did not get my luggage, I left the airport to appear for the exam in Vadodara. The next day, I was informed by the airlines that the luggage had been sent to Bengaluru and would be returned to me in a day or so. I, thus, left the airport for Vadodara in the evening by a taxi. Finally, the airlines returned the luggage to me after two days — June 26, 2024,' the complainant alleged.
SpiceJet Airlines in its reply stated that it is not liable for any loss/damage occasioned by delay in the carriage by air of passengers or luggage.
It was further said that the luggage was returned to the complainant within two days from the date of his travel, there is no deficiency in service on the part of the airlines, and the complainant is not entitled to any compensation from the airlines.
The Commission, however, held that '…it stands proved on record that the complainant remained at the airport for a long time waiting for his luggage on the day when he reached the Ahmedabad airport and, thereafter, he left for Vadodara to appear in an exam. The next day, he again visited the airport, but the luggage could not be delivered to him. Only after two days, the baggage was returned to him as a result of which he was harassed for the sheer negligence on the part of the Airlines (SpiceJet Airlines) …'
Thus, partly allowing the complaint, the Commission directed SpiceJet Airlines to pay a lump sum compensation of Rs 10,000 to the complainant on account of mental agony and harassment as well as litigation expenses.
