The consumer forum has ordered German airline Lufthansa to pay a compensation of Rs 1.25 lakh within eight weeks to a couple, after having failed to hand over their lost baggage on time. If the airline does not pay the compensation within the stipulated deadline, it will have to pay the amount with nine per cent interest.
Nishith Mishra and his wife Vandana Mishra, had lodged a complaint against the airline in 2010. According to the complaint, the couple that was attending a conference in Graz, had boarded an Air India flight to Frankfurt on July 7, 2010, from where they boarded a Lufthansa flight to Graz.
However, when the couple reached Graz airport, they realised that only one of their three bags, had reached the airport. The couple lodged a complaint with the Graz airport and were assured that their baggage would be returned soon.
The couple only received their bags on July 10. Due to the incident, Mishra could not participate in the conference, as he did not have the essential documents with him.
The forum, while passing the order in the case, held that it was the responsibility of the airline to hand over the belongings of their passengers on
time. “They cannot act ignorantly towards their customers. Also, the delay in delivering the bags hampered the purpose of the trip…As the complainants suffered mental agony and inconvenience, the airline should pay
the complainant a compensation of Rs 1.25 lakh (sic),” the forum said in its
order.