Flight Delay Damages Kerala Farmer’s Hybrid Jackfruit Sapling, AirAsia Asked To Pay Rs 90,750

A Kerala farmer’s attempt to bring home a hybrid jackfruit sapling from Indonesia ended in a consumer dispute after a flight delay allegedly caused damage to the plant and disrupted his return journey.

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Palakkad, has directed AirAsia India to pay Rs 90,750 to the farmer after finding a deficiency in service. The order was passed on May 8, 2026, after the airline did not appear before the commission, and the case proceeded ex parte.

The order was passed by a bench comprising President Vinay Menon V and members Vidya A and Krishnankutty NK.

What Was the Dispute

Abdul Azeez C, a farmer from Palakkad, travelled to Indonesia in August 2025 to purchase a hybrid jackfruit sapling for his farm and research on hybrid fruit varieties.

According to media reports, Abdul travelled to Indonesia via Kuala Lumpur and was returning to Kochi on August 30, 2025, when his AirAsia flight from Medan-Kualanamu to Kuala Lumpur was delayed by several hours, which caused him to miss his connecting flight.

He alleged that he sought an alternative arrangement from airline officials and was willing to pay additional charges, as the sapling required timely transportation. He was informed that the next available flight to Kochi was only after three days.

Azeez later managed to book another AirAsia flight to Kochi on his own the following day. By the time he reached Kochi, the sapling had allegedly been damaged, which made the trip unsuccessful and led to additional travel and accommodation expenses.

The commission found that the delay and the airline's failure to assist the passenger amounted to a deficiency in service. The order noted, "It is clear that the complainant has suffered financial loss and mental agony due to the deficiency in service on the part of the opposite party and is bound to compensate the complainant for that.”

What Did the Commission Order

The commission directed AirAsia to refund Rs 30,750 towards the ticket fare, reimburse Rs 25,000 for travel and accommodation expenses, pay Rs 25,000 as compensation for deficiency in service, and Rs 10,000 towards litigation costs.

The commission also directed that the amount be paid within 45 days, failing which the airline would be liable to pay Rs 500 per month until the final payment is made.