Hyderabad court asks Singapore Airlines to pay Rs. 4.65 lakh for ruining a family holiday
The Hyderabad Consumer Forum has ordered Singapore Airlines to pay Rs 4.65 lakh for failing to check a family's Covid-19 vaccination certificates, causing them to be detained at Changi Airport. The family, from Banjara Hills, faced multiple issues, including flight cancellations and delayed luggage, prompting legal action. Despite the airline's defense, the forum ruled in favor of the complainant, citing negligence in service.
The incident involved a family from Banjara Hills, comprising two young children, who had flown business class on June 9, 2022. Despite being cleared by airline staff in Chennai, the family faced complications upon landing at Changi Airport in Singapore, a TOI report stated.
Immigration officials at Changi Airport denied clearance to one of the passengers, Karan Tibrewala's wife, due to her having received the Sputnik V vaccine, which is not recognized by the Singapore government. Consequently, the family was unable to enter Singapore and decided to return to India. However, they were held in detention at the airport for hours, with the airline initially refusing to provide return tickets.
Frustrated by the airline's response, Karan Tibrewala approached the District Consumer Forum seeking compensation for all expenses related to the disrupted trip. Despite Singapore Airlines' defense that passengers are responsible for knowing and complying with local travel regulations, the Consumer Forum ruled in favor of the complainant.
During the trial, the forum noted an email from the airline admitting negligence in checking vaccination status in Chennai and offering vouchers, highlighting the airline's lapse in service. The bench concluded that the ordeal faced by the family—detention, overbooking, and delayed luggage—clearly indicated a deficiency in service by Singapore Airlines.
Source: Economic Times
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