Imagine you planned a family holiday after a long time, booked tickets, and did all the preparation with excitement and anticipation, and on the day of your flight, you are denied the booking? Heartbreaking, right? Something similar happened to J. S. Sathishkumar, as his international family trip did not end at their dream destination. Read on to find out exactly what happened.
Family Denied Boarding At Bengaluru Airport
J S Sathishkumar, chairman of a medical institution in Salem, Tamil Nadu, saw his family’s trip end not in their dream destination but in the courtroom. According to a report by The New Indian Express, a court in Karnataka has directed the police to file an FIR against senior executives of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. A civil judge and judicial magistrate in Devanahalli issued the directive, as Kempegowda International Airport falls under their jurisdiction. The order follows a complaint filed by J S Sathishkumar after his family was denied boarding at Bengaluru Airport at the last minute.
As per the complaint, Sathishkumar, along with seven family members, was scheduled to fly from Bengaluru to Peru on KLM on June 19, 2024. The family had booked non-refundable business-class tickets around ₹49 lakh, with a return journey planned for July 3, 2024. The family arrived at the airport in advance and completed initial formalities. However, after waiting at the check-in counter for many hours, they were informed that they would not be allowed to board the flight just before departure.
What’s The Real Reason Behind It?
As per the portal, airline staff cited the absence of a Peruvian visa as the reason for denying boarding. Sathishkumar has contested this claim and stated that the airline failed to correctly interpret Per’s entry requirements. He also said that Indian passport holders who possess valid visas or residence permits from countries such as the US, the UK and those within the Schengen area are eligible to enter Peru without obtaining a separate visa.
Speaking to the news portal, Sathishkumar stated that, although he has not received any refund for the cancelled tickets yet, the case is about accountability rather than compensation. He further said that action should be taken; otherwise, this can happen to anyone.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
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