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5. This order be complied with by the OPs jointly and severally within a period of 45 days from the date of receipt of certified copy thereof, failing which the principal amount(s) mentioned at Sr.No.(i) & (ii) above shall carry penal interest @ 12% per annum (simple) from the date of expiry of said period of 45 days, instead of 9% [mentioned at Sr.No.(i)], till realization...."

2. Before the District Commission, it was the case of the appellants/complainants that they had booked domestic air tickets from Chandigarh to Delhi and return, as well as international tickets from Delhi to Denpasar (Bali) and return, by paying substantial consideration to the respondents. On 02.04.2024, when the appellants had reached Denpasar Airport for their return journey, they had discovered that their scheduled flight had been preponed without any prior intimation. Due to the unilateral change in schedule by the respondents, the appellants missed their flight and were been left stranded at a foreign airport. They had no option but to arrange alternate travel by purchasing fresh tickets at a cost of Rs.51,000/-. Owing to the delay in arrival, they had also missed their connecting flight from Delhi to Chandigarh and had incurred additional expenditure towards local transportation. The appellants had issued a legal notice to the respondents, but no relief had been granted, compelling them to approach the District Commission.

6. On the other hand, counsel for the respondents contended that the present appeal being devoid of merit is liable to be dismissed.

7. We have given our thoughtful consideration to the rival submissions and have carefully perused the record of the case.

8. At the outset, it is not in dispute that the respondents had preponed the flight from Denpasar to Delhi without giving any prior intimation to the appellants. This act of the respondents had already been held by the District Commission to constitute deficiency in service, and the said finding has attained finality as the same has not been challenged by the respondents.

9. The only question that arises for consideration in the present appeal is whether the compensation awarded by the District Commission is just and adequate?

In this regard, it is important to note that the appellants had been travelling from a foreign country and had reached the airport in accordance with the scheduled departure time. They had then been informed that the flight had already been preponed, thereby rendering their tickets useless. Such an act on the part of the respondents reflects a serious lapse in service, as timely communication of schedule changes is a fundamental obligation of an airline.