A Chhattisgarh consumer forum has penalized Vistara Airlines for deficiency in service after an additional district judge was left stranded at Delhi airport due to overbooking. The airline faces heavy compensation for unfair trade practices.

Key Takeaways

  • A Chhattisgarh consumer body has held Vistara guilty of deficiency in service.
  • An Additional District Judge was denied boarding despite holding a confirmed ticket.
  • The commission suspected the airline resold the judge's seat at a significantly higher price.
  • Vistara has been ordered to pay ₹1 lakh in compensation and ₹10,000 in litigation costs.

In a significant ruling against predatory airline practices, a consumer commission in Chhattisgarh has imposed a fine on Vistara Airlines. The ruling follows a distressing incident where an Additional District Judge, Bhupendra Kumar Vasnikar, was denied boarding on a connecting flight from Delhi to Raipur in May 2023, despite possessing a confirmed ticket.

The Incident at Delhi Airport

The complainant, returning from a family vacation in Kashmir, arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport nearly four hours before his scheduled flight. Despite presenting confirmed tickets for himself and his family, Vistara staff refused to issue boarding passes to all four passengers. In a move that left the judge stranded, the airline allowed his wife and two children to board the flight while denying him entry, citing overbooking. This forced the judge to stay overnight in Delhi while his family traveled ahead.

Allegations of Unfair Seat Reselling

One of the most damning aspects of the case involves the financial discrepancy noted by the commission. The judge alleged that his seat, purchased on May 9, 2023, for ₹7,204, was unilaterally resold by the airline to another passenger on May 28, 2023, for a staggering ₹40,000. The commission, led by President Prashant Kundu and member Anand Varghese, noted that the airline failed to provide a convincing explanation for why a passenger with a confirmed ticket was denied a seat, leading to the inference of intentional reselling for higher profit margins.

Judicial Verdict and Implications

The airline's defense—that no alternative flights were available—was swiftly dismantled by the commission. Evidence showed that the complainant was able to secure an IndiGo flight the very next day. Consequently, the commission held Vistara liable for mental, physical, and financial hardship. The airline has been directed to pay ₹1 lakh in compensation and ₹10,000 towards litigation expenses. This judgment serves as a stern warning to the aviation industry regarding the legality of overbooking and the exploitation of confirmed passengers.