Airline ordered to pay $8,000 to diabetic traveller
Abu Dhabi, July 13, 2014
An airline has been ordered to pay Dh30,000 ($8,165) as compensation to a diabetic pilgrim who suffered physical discomfort and mental stress last year due to flight delays, said a report.
The complainant had filed a case at the civil court alleging that a 12-hour delay following his haj pilgrimage had caused him great distress and discomfort, said the Gulf News report.
The suit, which demanded Dh4 million as compensation, stated that the pilgrim’s return flight scheduled for 3 pm was delayed until 4 am the next day. His luggage had not reached him until 6 30, as a result of which he suffered exhaustion and a worsening in his diabetic condition, it said.
The airline requested a dismissal of the case, saying the complainant did not make a direct reservation with the airline.
The case was initially rejected by the Civil Court of First Instance, when the complainant failed to provide documents which showed that he had a reservation with the airline, and that the trip had been delayed.
However, when the case reached the Court of Appeals, investigators obtained flight details from the airport that confirmed the complainant’s allegations of significant flight delay.
