Airline to pay Bihar man Rs 85,000 after flight delay forces family to buy fresh tickets

The Patna District Consumer Commission has ordered an airline to pay Rs 85,816 to a Bihar man whose family was forced to buy new tickets after his flight from Patna to Mangalore was repeatedly delayed. The commission found that the airline failed to provide food, refreshments, or alternative arrangements, leading the family to incur expenses of Rs 20,205.

The man, who had purchased three confirmed tickets for Rs 18,697, claimed he had to pay for a hotel stay, transport, and a fresh ticket, but only received Rs 4,389 in refund. The court held that the expenses were genuine and directed the airline to reimburse the complainant the remaining amount, plus Rs 50,000 for mental agony and physical harassment and Rs 20,000 for litigation costs, totalling Rs 85,816.