Airline ordered to pay Rs 25,000 as compensation after hot non-veg curry spills on passenger

BENGALURU: The court ordered an airline company to pay compensation to a passenger after hot non-veg curry spilled on him during a flight journey. The incident happened in IndiGo flight while travelling from Bangkok to Bengaluru. The Bengaluru Urban District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered to pay a compensation of Rs 25,000 to the passenger.

The incident happened on March 5 in 2024 about 15 minutes after take-off. When the flight attendant opened the overhead bin above his seat, a hot food packet fell on him spilling curry and other items. It was non-veg curry. The passenger, a vegetarian said the incident caused extreme discomfort including skin irritation and headache from the smell.

The curry stained his branded T Shirt, watch and mobile phone. The complainant convinced the court that he was humiliated by having to travel for eight hours with the foul smell. The airline offered a travel voucher of Rs 5,000 as compensation, but the complainant refused it. He then proceeded with legal action. The airline's admission of lapses turned crucial in the case.

The commission observed that carelessly opening the cabins as soon as the plane took off posed a threat to the safety of the passengers and it was grave mistake from the side of the airline. The court then ordered the airline to pay compensation to the passenger.