Chennai: Airline fined Rs 15,000 for not refunding cancelled ticket

Chennai: The District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, Chennai (South) has imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on a private airline for not refunding a cancelled ticket.

In the petition, Ganesapandi, T.Nagar, submitted that he booked an e-ticket for travel from Chennai to Thoothukudi and return ticket for himself and three others on November 17, 2014 for their travel on November 20, 2014. He cancelled the ticket on November 18, 2014 and rebooked for travel on November 21, 2014.  He paid Rs 26,048 for  the tickets.  

The Spice Jet Ltd cancelled the flight on November 21, 2014 due to bad weather.  As a result, they were unable to travel.  Spice Jet Ltd refunded only a part of the ticket amount of Rs 12,012 on March 25, 2015 and it retained Rs 10,076.   

The passenger issued a notice to CEO, Spice Jet Ltd, Gurgaon, on April 21 and demanded a refund of Rs 10,076 with 24 per cent interest. As there was no response, he filed the petition seeking refund along with a compensation of Rs 80,000. Spice Jet Ltd failed to respond and remained ex-parte. 

The bench comprising president M. Mony and member Dr T. Paul Rajasekaran said on perusal of available documents, the complaint is within the territorial and pecuniary jurisdiction and the cause of action is within Chennai. The bench directed Spice Jet Ltd to refund Rs 10,076 along with interest of 12 per cent per annum and Rs 5,000 as cost.