AI pulled up for starving twin babies on board

Mumbai: More than six years after Air India (AI) failed to provide special baby food and on-board facilities requested by a man for his six-month-old premature twins, the South Mumbai Consumer Forum on Monday ordered the airline to pay him Rs 1 lakh to compensate for mental agony, torture and harassment.
Devendra Singh Parihar, 58, managing trustee of Pinewoods International High School at Panchgani, had booked eight round trip business class tickets for himself, his wife Renuka and infants Anshruta and Avyakta, on the Mumbai-New York sector for August 26, 2003 and September 4, 2003.
While booking through an authorised AI agent, he made a written request for special baby food and other things for the babies. Only after AI confirmed in writing that they would provide the items — Baby Milk Nan-2, Pampers and Cerelac, boiled water, sky cots and slumberettes — did Parihar confirm his trip. But none of the items were given by the airline. “Due to hunger, the babies wouldn’t stop crying hysterically during the flight,” said Parihar.
Parihar complained at the AI office in Manhattan. The airline assured him that all the facilities would be provided on his return flight. But this time too, the flight supervisor had no information about the request.
Cans of creamed vegetable and vegetable korma — which the staff passed on as the last resort for the uncontrollable babies — were past their expiry date.
AI said Parihar can’t be termed a consumer under law, because food served to passengers is complimentary, and they are not bound to comply with requests. Parihar had paid around Rs 3.5 lakh for the family’s tickets.
03/02/10 Anand Holla/Pune Mirror

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Categories: Air India - International Feb 2010, Foreign Feb 2010, NACIL Feb 2010