What Are Passenger Rights For Lost, Damaged, Or Delayed Baggage Compensation In India?

Last updated on Mar 27th, 2024 by Renu Dahiya

Air travel promises convenience and efficiency, but occasional hiccups can disrupt even the smoothest journeys. Imagine stepping off a long-haul flight in India, only to discover that your carefully packed luggage has been mishandled – it arrives battered, torn open, or worse, some of your belongings are missing. 

Here, we’ll know the consumer rights and airline responsibilities, shedding light on what you need to know when it comes to compensation for baggage mishaps when you arrive in India.

Loss, Delayed Or Damaged Baggage – Your Rights & Procedure To Follow

When you purchase a ticket for your journey, the airline takes on the responsibility for both your transportation and your baggage. This crucial passenger-airline relationship is governed by a combination of Indian statutes and international conventions. 

In India, the Carriage by Air Act of 1972 serves as the primary statute, encompassing international conventions such as the Warsaw, Hague, and Montreal Conventions within its purview. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), through CAR Section 3, Series M, Part VI, outlines specific baggage compensation guidelines. 

Baggage Compensation: International

• The airline’s liability extends to a maximum of 1,131 SDR per passenger for cases of delayed, damaged, or lost baggage.
• The liability limit for destruction, loss, or delay of cargo during international carriage is 19 SDR.

Insight – SDR (Special Drawing Rights) is a currency unit defined by the International Monetary Fund. The exact amount you receive depends on the value of the national currency at the time of the court judgment. 

Baggage Compensation: Domestic 

In domestic flights within India, the delayed/damaged/lost bag compensation differs. 

• In case of baggage loss, delay, or damage, the liability is limited to INR 20,000 per passenger.
• For delayed or damaged cargo, the limit is INR 350 per kilogram.

What To Do In Case of Baggage Loss, Delay, or Damage?

• File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR): If you find that your baggage is missing, open, or damaged upon arrival, immediately head to the airline’s counter. Here, you will fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Make sure to have your boarding pass handy, as it contains essential information regarding your checked-in luggage.

The PIR is a vital document that provides a reference code to track your baggage and may contain details about the condition of your bag and its contents as reported by you.

• Baggage Search and Tracing: Once you’ve reported your lost, delayed, or damaged baggage, airline staff will initiate a search and tracing process. They will contact the team at both your departure and arrival airports, making urgent tracers for all connecting segments to locate your baggage.

When Can You Claim For Compensation? 

• Lost Baggage: If, despite the airlines’ efforts, your baggage cannot be traced within 21 days of filing the PIR, it may be officially declared as lost. You will need to provide an itemized list of the contents, descriptions, ages, and proof of purchase or ownership for all items inside the lost baggage.
• Damaged Baggage: In the case of damaged baggage (provided the damage is not due to overpacking or deliberate actions on your part), you can inquire with the airline about compensation for lost baggage/delayed baggage/damaged baggage.
• Delayed Baggage: Delayed bag compensation is often based on the number of hours your bag is delayed. You may be eligible for baggage loss compensation to cover essential items you require while waiting for your bag to be delivered.

Fact To Remember- To make a claim for damage or loss, the event causing the issue must have occurred onboard the aircraft or during the period when the carrier was responsible for the checked baggage.

When Can’t You Claim For Compensation? | Exceptions

• Valuable Items – Airlines typically do not take responsibility for valuable items placed in checked baggage. If you must transport valuable items this way, you should declare them during check-in. In such cases, airlines may charge an additional fee to ensure the safe transfer of these valuable items.
• Unchecked Baggage – For unchecked baggage, the carrier is liable only if the damage resulted from their fault or that of their agents.
• Normal Wear and Tear – Luggage is designed to protect its contents, but in the normal course of handling, it may acquire minor wear and tear. This includes minor cuts, scratches, dents, or soil, for which the airline may not be held liable.
• Issues with Bag Components – Damage to specific components of luggage, such as broken feet, wheels, handles, or straps, may not be covered by the airline’s liability.
• Overpacked or Oversized Bags – Damage resulting from overpacking or the use of oversized bags may not fall under the airline’s responsibility.
• Unsuitable Packing – If the damage is a result of unsuitable or inadequate packing, the airline may not be held liable and you won’t get compensation for late/damaged baggage.
• Pull Handle Damage – Damage to pull handles, including lost pull handles, might not be covered by the airline’s liability.
• Fragile or Perishable Items – Items that are inherently fragile or perishable may not be eligible for loss of baggage compensation if they get damaged during transport.
• Manufacturer Defects – Manufacturer defects in luggage, which are beyond the control of the airline, are generally not covered by their liability.

Major Airlines’ Policies For Delayed/Damaged/Lost Baggage Compensation

Qantas Lost Baggage Compensation

Lodge a property irregularity Report (PRI) via your delayed baggage self-service portal. Qantas Airways contact centre will assess each baggage claim and update you on the outcome.

Air India Lost Baggage Compensation 

If Air India is unable to trace it for 21 days. Fill in the property irregularity report. All claims shall be sustained with an itemised list of contents, description, age, and proof of purchase or ownership of all items. 

FAQs

Q: How to get Qantas lost baggage compensation?

A: Report to the lost baggage Qantas compensation Desk at the airport and as soon as possible report and file a Property irregularity report (PRI). You can also do this on the Qantas portal. Keep a copy of this File and stay in touch with the airline.  

Q: How to get compensation for delayed luggage Australia?

A: As soon as you get to know that your bag is missing report to the airline and file a (PRI) Property Irregularity Report to get lost baggage compensation. Also, know that travel Insurance can pay you a benefit usually between $200 to $1,500 if your luggage is delayed. To be able to claim your luggage typically needs to be delayed by a minimum of 12 hours.

Q: How to get Singapore Airlines baggage damage compensation? 

A: To get Singapore Airlines compensation for late luggage/damaged baggage/lost baggage, lodge a report, receive your reference number, and get status updates via email within seven days. Also, please know that Singapore Airlines is not responsible for baggage damage due to normal wear and tear.

That’s it from our end! If you have any further questions, do let us know in the comment section below. We’ll resolve your queries as soon as possible. And, To read more such pieces, keep an eye on our website. Stay Informed with MyTicketsToIndia!

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About Renu Dahiya View All Posts

Renu Dahiya is a passionate writer who worships her profession. Her love for writing has encouraged her to pursue her career as a writer. Her friends call her a “travel worm” and always come to her to know some interesting traveling tips and destinations. Renu is a repository of knowledge about traveling who knows which place should be visited in which season. Oh yes, she is insanely in love with dancing too. Writer, traveler and dancer, a perfect combination! Without a doubt, she is a complete package.