Compensation for Air travellers.
Finally some justice for the much harrassed Indian air traveller.
From this June 30, the compensation paid for loss of life or baggage during air travel shall be hiked tremendously. While currently the compensation paid for the death of a passenger due to an air mishap is around Rs 750,000, it will become Rs 7,000,000 post June 30th. A similar increase will take place in the compensation paid for baggage loss and delays. A significant delay due to the airline’s bungling up will make it shell out close to Rs 130,000 per passenger. For damage to uninsured checked in baggage, the compensation will go up to Rs 70,000, a 70 times increase.
This revision is because of India signing the Montreal Convention of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Adopted in 1999, this convention seeks to bring about uniformity in the process of compensation payment and claims for damages. One of its main advantages is that it does away with prolonged litigation to claim proven damages. This treaty has already been signed by 90 countries including the US, China, EU, Canada, Japan etc. The Indian Parliament approved it through the Carriage by Air (Amendment) Act, 2008 in February this year.
This laudable move shall end the disparity between damages paid in the Western countries and those paid in India. This has not come a day too soon as Indian airlines are already infamous for taking their passengers for granted. Hopefully this shall provide the travellers the much needed equality.
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