CHENNAI: Thavasu Vella Thambi of Chennai had boarded an Emirate Airlines flight in 2012, but to his horror he found that he had to fly without seat belts as the seat he was allotted was damaged and the flight crew even denied him an alternative arrangement. Three years after the incident, the resident of G N Chetty Road will be compensated as the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chennai (North), has slapped a fine of Rs 53,000 on the airlines for deficiency in services.
Thavasu said in April, 2012, after he boarded his scheduled Emirate Airlines flight he found workers repairing his allotted seat 22G. However, they failed to fix the seat and the flight crew told him to adjust in the damaged seat, promising him to find an alternative seat later. But even after take-off he was not given another seat and, according to his statement, he 'faced a nightmare' during take-off and landing.
A month later, he claimed damages of Rs 2 lakh from the customer affairs manager of the airlines at its office in Nungambakkam. The airlines sent a reply assuring to look into his complaint on May 15, 2012. Thambi then sought a settlement, but although the airlines apologized for the incident they refused to pay him any compensation. When his legal reply also went unanswered, Thambi moved the district forum seeking a compensation of Rs 2 lakh.
In its counter, Emirates Airlines said the allegations were false.
An alternative seat could not be provided as the flight was full. The airlines said they had offered 1,000 skyward miles if he became a part of their frequent flier programme. This was a programme where the miles could be exchanged for tickets or uprgrades on subsequent travels. But Thambi refused the offer.
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