Etihad Airways has been directed by a consumer forum to pay Rs 50,000 as compensation to an elderly passenger for not serving him meals of his choice due to which he had to travel without food during the flight.

Observing that such conduct was not expected from a reputed airline, the East District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum said Etihad Airways was obligated under the terms of booking to provide the meals chosen by the 72-year-old passenger, while travelling from New Delhi to New York and back.

“It is not expected from airlines of repute that they will not provide food of choice to the passenger and will allow the guest of the airline on board to remain without food for such long hours of journey.

“The complainant in this case is a senior citizen. If any other food is not suited to him and has special choice for sea food, the same should have been made available onboard,” the forum said.

The order came on the plea of Anand Vihar-resident Ved Prakash Verma, who had travelled on the UAE-based airline from New Delhi to New York on May 26, 2010 and had returned on November 14.

Mr Verma had alleged that on both occasions he was not served seafood which he chose while booking his tickets and he had to go hungry during the long flights.

In its defence, the airline said that the incident had occurred due to a communication gap between its reservation and catering staff.

The Bench, presided by Mr N.A. Zaidi, rejected the contention observing that such communication gap “reflects that there are flaws in the working of the airlines” and added that fliers cannot be allowed to suffer for the “omission” by airlines.

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