New Delhi: A local consumer court has ordered two foreign-based airlines to compensate two passengers for providing deficient services.

The two airlines are Air France and KLM Dutch Airlines. While the former lost a baggage belonging to an Indian passenger, the latter delivered a baggage in damaged condition. While announcing the award in favour of the two Indian passengers, the court found the airlines guilty of deficiency in service.

In the first case, complainant G D Sharma – secretary to University Grants Commission (UGC) – alleged that Air France did not hand over his baggage after he arrived at New Delhi by its flight in August 1998. He claimed a compensation of Rs 88,700. The lost baggage reportedly weighed 20 kgs. The court directed the airlines to pay Sharma at the rate of $ 20 per kg. As the international carrier had already paid Rs 10,230, the court asked the airline to pay the remaining amount along with litigation cost of Rs 5,000.

In the other case, complainant Alok Agarwal, a resident of Maharani Bagh in South Delhi, alleged that KLM Dutch Airlines delivered his baggage after a delay of over 40 days on March 13, 1997 and that too in a damaged condition.

The consumer court, which held the Dutch Airlines guilty of deficiency in service, directed it to pay $ 75 along with Rs 5,000 for the delay. Besides, the court asked the airlines to pay litigation cost of Rs 5,000 to the complainant.

ANI