Indian consumer commissions rule against Singapore Airlines and Air India

Consumer dispute commissions in India have issued rulings against major airlines regarding service deficiencies.

The Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered Singapore Airlines to pay Rs 50,000 to a passenger following a 15-hour flight from Delhi to Melbourne in March 2020. The complainant alleged that his family received inadequate food and that no milk was provided for an 11-month-old infant. While the airline argued that no special meal requests were made, the commission ruled that the carrier maintains a responsibility to provide standard meals and reasonable care, particularly for infants.

Separately, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-II in Chandigarh ruled against Air India for failing to refund a rescheduling fee. The complainant, who traveled from Chicago to New Delhi, sought a refund after the airline allegedly failed to process an admitted amount and unilaterally cancelled a return ticket. The commission found the airline's failure to provide the promised refund constituted a deficiency in service.