Here’s professional help to get back at airlines for delays

Passengers in Mumbai wanting compensation for flight delays, diversions or being denied boardings will now be able to use professional services like those available in Europe. Soubhik Mitra reports.

Passengers in Mumbai wanting compensation for flight delays, diversions or being denied boardings will now be able to use professional services like those available in Europe.

Refund.me — which has started operations in Mumbai — is probably the only player dedicated to aggrieved fliers in India. At present, the service is limited to airlines registered in Europe such as British Airways, Lufthansa, and Virgin Atlantic. Civil aviation ministry records show 3,700 flight operations between Mumbai and London in 2012.

“Getting professional assistance definitely gives an edge to travellers. If the process is transparent and quick, people will be more than happy to pay for it,” said Mumbai-based consumer activist Dr AR Shenoy.

The firm charges 25% of the claim amount for its services. “Many passengers are unaware of their rights, and face a complicated bureaucratic system to seek damages,” said Eve Buechner, chief executive officer of Refund.me. Under European Union laws, one is eligible for compensation of up to 600 pounds for flight delays of more than three hours.