Flyers stuck at airport have right to free food, stay

Air carriers not catering to basic needs of travelers such as food and water during flight delay is deficiency in service, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has held in a judgment. Five senior citizens had faced the ordeal during their travel in 2013. They were directed to be given Rs 30,000 compensation each by the commission, which noted that passengers have “the right to food, refreshment and accommodation” when they are stuck at the airport waiting for their flight.

Commenting on the state of affairs of air travel, bench of Dr S M Kanitkar pointed out that several passengers faced difficulties while booking the tickets. The websites of airline companies, it said, allured travellers with “misleading offers, low fares, etc., but factually show sudden surge while completing the process of online ticket booking”. Moreover, it observed that air carriers imposed “hefty cancellation fee”, which was about 80% and “refunded peanuts to the helpless customers”. Dr Kanitkar said, “The consumers are harassed by such misleading advertisements, unfair and deceptive practices of airline co.” (sic).