Airlines, firm fined for denying Melbourne ride

PANCHKULA: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed a private airline and an online travel company to refund the amount of ticket of Rs 45,613 purchased by aS ector 27 resident to go to Melbourne.

Subhash Kajal, 53, a residentof Greater Housing Society 13, Sector 27,Panchkula,said hisson KudratKajal got admission in MTech (electronics) in Melbourne, Australia.

On July 14, 2017, Subhash booked a ticket from Delhi to Melbourne for his son after paying Rs 45,613 to Jet Airways through Goibibo Group Private Limited.

On July 19, 2017, when Subhash reached the Delhi airport to drop his son, the officials of Jet Airways refused to entertain hisson on the groundthathe had to obtain the transit visa for Singapore first to board the flight. Subhash told the authorities present there that there was no such condition nor any such condition was ever intimated while booking the tickets or at the time of confirmation of the tickets.

After various attempts of trying to convince the authorities, Kudrat was not allowed to board the flight. He had to arrange tickets at a higher rates by incurring Rs 1,06,000 for another flight. When Subhash requested the company and airlines to refund the amount of Rs 45,613 deposited by him, they refused to do so.

Representatives from Jet Airways told the forum that it had been clearly provided that Singapore visa is mandatory even for a transit guest. The relevant terms and conditions were not followed by the complainant, they argued Goibibo,in a separate reply to the forum, stated that they are travel service provider and facilitate booking services for its customers but are not responsible for any unexpected modifications in the flight schedule of the customers due to cancellation and delay.

Theforum saidthe amount of Rs 45,613 had already been paidby Subhashwhile purchasing the tickets and which could not be utilized due to circumstances beyond his control. The forum directed both Jet Airways and Goibibo to refund Rs 45,613 to Subhash and pay Rs 10,000 on account of harassment, mental agony and cost of litigation charges.