Airports Authority of India, company to compensate for passenger's death

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and an airline company to pay Rs 30 lakh as compensation to the family of a passenger who died inside the airport premises after officials failed to provide adequate medical assistance to him. As per the complaint filed by his family, the deceased Ziaudeen Abdul Rahman, 56, of Vadakkevila, Kollam was employed at Saudi Arabia. He reached the city airport from Dammam on a Jet Airways flight on November 14, 2012.

The flight landed one hour and five minutes earlier than scheduled. His wife Vaheed Ziaudeen could not find her husband outside and sent driver Anilal to pick him up. Mr Rahman had collapsed a few feet outside the checkout point of the airport when the driver found him. In spite of the family’s repeated pleas, the airport and airliner did not provide the required medical assistance. The family rushed him to Ananthapuri hospital where he passed away. The co-passengers informed the family that Mr Rahman had experienced chest pain before landing itself but the airhostess had not taken any step to provide assistance.

The family then approached the Commission demanding a compensation of Rs 50 lakh. Airport officials contested that a medical officer was sent to the spot. They claimed that the family chose to take the man in a car though officials offered an ambulance. Their counsel also contested that the incident happened outside the airport terminal and hence they were not bound to give any assistance.

Since, the incident happened in the airport premises, the Commission ruled in favour of the family. Also, communication with Ananthapuri hospital has proved that they started offering ambulance facility in the airport only from March 2013, around four months after the death of Mr Rahman. Advocate S. Reghumukar appeared on behalf of the family.