Fly & die as an equal: compensation up 7-fold

New Delhi: An Indian citizen flying by any airline will soon get the same compensation for loss of baggage or injuries as a US, European or a Japanese citizen.
On Wednesday, the Lok Sabha passed the Carriage by Air (Amendment) Bill, 2008 to adopt the Montreal Convention. The compensation for Indian passengers will now be on a par with global levels. It will not matter if the baggage loss or accident is on an Indian carrier or a foreign one. It will also not matter whether the destination is domestic or foreign.
But the new law could cast more financial burden on bleeding Indian carriers, as the scale of compensation for injuries suffered on board and loss of baggage has been ratcheted up seven times. But civil aviation minister Praful Patel said this should not impact airfares.
For instance, the compensation for injury or death on board will be $140,000 per person from around $20,000 now. The compensation for damage to the checked baggage increases from about $20 per kg to around $1,400 per passenger. The compensation for damage to cargo is raised from $20 per kg to $24 per kg.
30/05/08 Financial Express

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General May 2008, Safety May 2008