Emirates appeals Indian court order

Dubai: Emirates is appealing an Indian court decision ordering it to pay Rs1.1 million (Dh84,360) in compensation for causing "inconvenience, discomfort and mental harassment" to a passenger couple.

A consumer court in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh entered the order after Indian passenger Manmohan Lal Sarin, flying from New Delhi to Johannesburg with his wife, alleged that the cabin crew offered a "large metal box" with a pillow on it to replace a broken footrest, The Times of India reported.

The couple also alleged that on the return journey they were put in business class despite holding a first class ticket.

Contacted by Gulf News, an Emirates spokesperson in Dubai said the airline is appealing the judgment.

"This case is under appeal and within the jurisdiction of the courts. It would not be appropriate for Emirates to comment any further," the airline said.

Refund

According to the report, Emirates denied allegations against it, including the one about the broken footrest, and said since all first class seats were already taken up the couple were accommodated in business class and was told to seek a refund of the difference in the fares.

"We noticed that flight EK511's seat, which was occupied by us, had a broken footrest. On pointing it out, the in-flight crew replaced the footrest with a large metal box on which a pillow was placed. It was uncomfortable and highly unsafe and Niti [Sarin's wife] had to accept it reluctantly as no alternative seat was offered," the September 9, 2006, complaint said, according to the newspaper.

Sarin, 60, a lawyer, then filed a complaint with Chandigarh's consumer court alleging "emotional distress and inconvenience".