dailyloe.com – A court in India has directed police to file a criminal case against KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. This follows a two-year legal battle by a family denied boarding for a Peru holiday. The family spent nearly £40,000 on business-class tickets. The case dates back to June 2024.
The family of J S Sathishkumar purchased eight two-way business-class tickets. The tickets to Peru cost around Rs 4.9 million, or £40,000. They were scheduled to depart from Bengaluru on 19 June. Their planned return date was 3 July.
Their 14-day holiday plans were cut short at the airport. Airline officials denied them boarding. Officials said they lacked the appropriate visa for Peru. After several hours of waiting, they were told they could not take the flight.
Mr Sathishkumar disputed the airline’s assessment of the visa rules. He argued it was based on a misreading of entry requirements. He said Indian nationals with valid visas from certain countries can enter Peru without a separate visa. These countries include the US, UK, Australia, or Schengen states.
A KLM spokesperson told The New Indian Express the airline must comply with all travel regulations. The airline urged customers to carry required documentation. It said it regrets that some passengers experienced inconveniences. The statement was reported by the newspaper.
While held at the airport, the family protested the boarding denial. They threatened legal action against the airline. Mr Sathishkumar alleged they were then ‘red-flagged’ by KLM following the confrontation. He claimed the family has since faced heightened scrutiny at international airports.
Mr Sathishkumar alleged his son was questioned in Singapore. The questioning was over a supposed ‘deportation from Peru’. His son had never visited Peru. Mr Sathishkumar said he encountered similar issues on a trip to Australia.
He later filed a case against KLM in a Karnataka court. The case sought a refund of the ticket price. After a two-year legal battle, the court has now issued an order. It directed police to register a criminal case against KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
In its order, the magistrate directed police to register a formal complaint. The complaint targets the airline’s chief executive officer and chief operating officer. It also targets other senior executives involved in the decision. Police must proceed in accordance with the law.
Mr Sathishkumar commented on the court’s intervention in the case. The legal process is now moving forward as a criminal matter. The dispute centers on visa rules and boarding denial. The family’s significant financial loss initiated the lengthy court battle.[]
Source: The Independent
