Air France has been directed by a consumer forum here to pay Rs 15,125 to a passenger whose bag was damaged and some of its contents lost while in transit from Dublin to Delhi via Paris in 2009.
The New Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum awarded the compensation to Delhi resident Charanjit after taking note that the reduction in weight of the baggage, which was torn in places and its lock damaged, was evidence of loss of articles.
The complainant had claimed that the airline had offered Rs 5,125 as compensation which he had refused to accept.
"The loss of articles by reduced weight of upto four kilograms has been admitted by opposite party (Air France).... The loss of weight is also evidence of loss of articles... (there was also) evidence of tearing and damage of lock...,
"We determine total compensation award at Rs 15,125 to be paid by opposite party," a bench presided by C K Chaturvedi said.
The order came on Charanjit's complaint against the airline for allegedly not paying enough compensation for the damage to his bag and loss of articles from it.
He had alleged in his plea that he and his wife had travelled by Air France to Delhi from Dublin via Paris in February 2009 and on landing here he was informed his luggage had not arrived.
The bag was delivered two-days late and on checking it he found that it was damaged and lighter by four kilograms, he had said, adding that the airline had offered Rs 5,125 as compensation which he had refused to accept.
The airline had justified the compensation offered by it saying the amount was arrived at as per the Carriage by Air Act rates.
