SpiceJet Airways has been ordered by a consumer forum here to pay over Rs 79,000 as total compensation to one of its passengers for offloading his and his companions’ luggage from the flight and delivering it after much delay, affecting their trip.

The airline was asked to pay Rs 40,000 as compensation, Rs 26,556 for hotel expenses incurred by the travellers and Rs 3,000 for other expenses incurred by them along with Rs 10,000 as litigation cost to Delhi resident, Mr Rajendra Kumar Gupta, who had booked the tickets for himself and 18 others to go on a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi.

The South West District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum awarded the compensation holding that the reason given by the airline for offloading the baggage of the 19-member group from the flight they had taken was “not satisfactory”.

“We are of the opinion that the decision of the opposite party (SpiceJet) of offloading the baggage should have been justified by valid reasons. In the instant case, no reasons have been explained. The airline has only stated that due to technical reasons, the baggage could not be sent by the same flight. The explanation given by it is not satisfactory,” the forum, presided by Mr Narendra Kumar, said.

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