Dubai passenger alleges fraud by IndiGo over cancellation without prior notice

Dubai, Apr 12(ANI): A Dubai-based passenger is alleging fraud against Indian airline IndiGo after his online bookings for two flights were cancelled for what he slammed as dodgy reasons.

P. Sharma had bought two IndiGo tickets for his mother and daughter on March 6 with his credit card issued by a Dubai bank.

The purchase for 16,000 rupees was marked "confirmed" in the flight tickets from Delhi to Chennai that were dated April 5, 2012.

But his mother and daughter were told during check-in that their tickets had been cancelled, and Sharma received a cancellation notice on February 7 in his spam e-mail. In the instant case, we note that the credit card holder is not a travelling passenger and/or part of the party travelling. In light of the above, we are unable to honour the booking and as such, the reservation is released and refund is being processed to the credit card which was used by you to make the said booking. You will receive your refund shortly," the statement said.

Sharma was subsequently forced to buy new two-way tickets through a travel agency for his wife and daughter at more than double the original price.

Sharma has now accused the airline of not clarifying as to who cancelled his booking and why he was never informed about the fact that his wife and daughter's seats were confirmed and later cancelled. He is also contemplating taking the airline to India's consumer court.

"This is ridiculous because I used my own credit card to buy a ticket for myself. This purchase was even verified by the airline call centre staff from India," The Gulf News quoted Sharma, as saying.

The Consumer Court of India has reportedly directed IndiGo to pay 48000 rupees to Sharma as compensation for cancelling his tickets on the day of his trip without prior notice. (ANI)