CHENNAI: The district consumer disputes redressal forum, South Chennai has slapped Singapore Airlines with a fine of Rs 35,000 for changing a city resident's air ticket from business to economy class.
G R K Reddy of Kotivakkam said he had purchased an air ticket from the airlines for his travel from Singapore to Chennai on April 19, 2011. When he boarded the flight, the airlines downgraded his ticket from business to economy class and issued him a voucher for 600 Singapore Dollars (SGD). Reddy then issued a legal notice to the airlines stating the change had been made without prior information. Also, the voucher did not provide "a fair compensation." After he received "a vague and implausible reply," Reddy moved the forum seeking compensation for deficiency in services.
In its counter, Singapore Airlines said Reddy's ticket had been downgraded as the business class tickets had been overbooked and he was the last person to reserve such a ticket. Also, according to the terms mentioned while booking tickets, it was clearly mentioned that passengers might not be able to travel in their booked tickets in case of overbooking. The airlines had offered Reddy a compensation package comprising a cash voucher of 600 SGD and in-flight voucher of 150 SGD. He had, however, refused to accept it.
A bench of president B Ramalingam and member K Amala said downgrading a ticket without prior information amounted to deficiency in service. The airlines had also failed to provide a suitable compensation to Reddy. "Considering the situation where Reddy was compelled to travel in economy class it is acceptable that he underwent mental agony and hardship," the bench said.
It then directed the airlines to pay Rs 30,000 as compensation for causing mental agony and hardship along with Rs 5,000 as case costs. The amount had to paid within 6 weeks, failing which, the compensation amount would carry an interest rate of 9%, the bench added.
G R K Reddy of Kotivakkam said he had purchased an air ticket from the airlines for his travel from Singapore to Chennai on April 19, 2011. When he boarded the flight, the airlines downgraded his ticket from business to economy class and issued him a voucher for 600 Singapore Dollars (SGD). Reddy then issued a legal notice to the airlines stating the change had been made without prior information. Also, the voucher did not provide "a fair compensation." After he received "a vague and implausible reply," Reddy moved the forum seeking compensation for deficiency in services.
In its counter, Singapore Airlines said Reddy's ticket had been downgraded as the business class tickets had been overbooked and he was the last person to reserve such a ticket. Also, according to the terms mentioned while booking tickets, it was clearly mentioned that passengers might not be able to travel in their booked tickets in case of overbooking. The airlines had offered Reddy a compensation package comprising a cash voucher of 600 SGD and in-flight voucher of 150 SGD. He had, however, refused to accept it.
A bench of president B Ramalingam and member K Amala said downgrading a ticket without prior information amounted to deficiency in service. The airlines had also failed to provide a suitable compensation to Reddy. "Considering the situation where Reddy was compelled to travel in economy class it is acceptable that he underwent mental agony and hardship," the bench said.
It then directed the airlines to pay Rs 30,000 as compensation for causing mental agony and hardship along with Rs 5,000 as case costs. The amount had to paid within 6 weeks, failing which, the compensation amount would carry an interest rate of 9%, the bench added.
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