Consumer Court Orders Qatar Airways to Pay Rs 10 Lakh for Denying Boarding to Infant
The Ernakulam Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission in Kerala has directed Qatar Airways to pay Rs 10 lakh in compensation to a couple after the airline refused to allow their two minor children, including a breastfeeding infant, to board a return flight from India to Italy. The commission, in its July 14 order, held the airline liable for deficiency in service and unfair trade practice, causing the parents severe mental agony and hardship.
The couple, who were traveling with their children, were left with no option but to entrust the children to relatives in India and proceed on their return journey without them. The commission, comprising President D B Binu and members Ramachandran V and Sreevidhia T N, noted that the parents' mental agony, emotional trauma and untold hardship were the direct consequence of the airline's wrongful conduct.
In addition to the compensation, the commission also ordered Qatar Airways to pay Rs 25,000 towards litigation costs. The order highlighted that the airline's action constituted a clear deficiency in service and unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act.
The case serves as a reminder of the legal recourse available to consumers in India when airlines fail to honour their contractual obligations, particularly in cases involving vulnerable passengers such as infants.
