J S Sathishkumar, chairman of a medical institution based in Salem, Tamil Nadu, had a long-planned international family trip that ended not at the destination they had dreamed of, but in a courtroom.
A journey from India to Peru has now spiralled into a legal battle involving one of the world's major airlines, raising questions about passenger rights, documentation checks and the responsibilities of airline staff during international travel, as per NDTV.
FIR against KLM Royal Dutch Airlines' top executives
According to a report by The New Indian Express, a court in Karnataka has directed the police to register an FIR against senior executives of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (the flag carrier of the Netherlands), including its chief executive officer (CEO) and chief operating officer (COO).
The order reportedly follows a complaint filed by J S Sathishkumar, after his family was denied boarding at Bengaluru airport at the last minute. The reason? Confusion around visa.
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Tickets costed around Rs 49 lakh
The complaint centres on an incident that occurred on June 19, 2024, when Sathishkumar and seven members of his extended family were reportedly scheduled to fly from Bengaluru to Peru on KLM.
The family had booked eight non-refundable business-class tickets, reportedly costing around Rs 49 lakh, with a return journey planned for July 3, 2024
Boarding denied just before departure
The family arrived at Bengaluru airport well in advance and completed initial formalities. However, after waiting at the check-in counter for several hours, they were informed shortly before departure that they would not be allowed to board the flight.
Visa entry rules confusion
Airline staff reportedly cited the absence of a Peruvian visa as the reason for denying boarding. Sathishkumar has contested this claim, stating that the airline failed to correctly interpret Peru's entry requirements.
He maintains that Indian passport holders who possess valid visas or residence permits from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia or those within the Schengen area are eligible to enter Peru without obtaining a separate Peruvian visa.
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KLM Royal Dutch Airlines stated that it is obligated to comply with all applicable travel and immigration regulations, reported The New Indian Express. The airline emphasised that passengers must ensure they are carrying valid and correct travel documentation before departure. KLM added that it regretted the inconvenience experienced by some passengers.
