A consumer court here has ordered Etihad Airways to pay a compensation of Rs. 3 lakh to an elderly passenger for causing agony, detaining her illegally and causing embarrassment in front of other passengers. The order was passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (South) bench.
The complainant, Arumugam Kanthimathiammal (68) of Adyar, had booked tickets on Etihad Airways for a journey to Chicago, via Abu Dhabi, and back. She received e-tickets for the onward journey scheduled for March 21, 2010, and for the return on September 11, 2010.
She had then advanced her return journey and booked a ticket for July 24, 2010. She noticed her name was changed in the boarding pass and informed her son.
Her son contacted staff at the Etihad Airways counter, who assured him that a correction would be made. Upon the woman’s arrival at Abu Dhabi, however, staff asked her to get off the plane as her name was printed wrong. She was detained in a hotel and her passport, other travel documents, and her suitcase were seized. She then arrived in Chennai on July 26.
Meanwhile, the airlines denied some of the charges and stated they had taken good care of her, with all facilities provided to her in the hotel.
