Holding private airlines, GoAir, responsible for deficiency in services for not cooperating with passengers when the flight was cancelled due to technical snag, the district consumer forum, Chandigarh, directed the airlines to pay Rs 35,000 compensation.

Forum has also directed airlines to refund the entire amount spent by complainants on air tickets and the money spent on staying in hotels because of the cancellation of flight as per a report in Times of India.

The orders have been passed by forum while hearing a complainant filed by three chief engineer rank officers of Punjab Mandi board living in Chandigarh and Panchkula.

Contesting the complainants,  GoAir pleaded that the flight was delayed due to technical fault, which was beyond their control; thus denied any negligence or deficiency on their part. However, hearing both the parties, forum held that the complainants have to certainly spend money out of their own pocket, in order to reach their destination.

"It is a matter of common sense, how difficult it is, for anyone to sit idle at one place for about 22 hours, for no fault of their own and that had actually happened with the complainants for which the airline cannot escape their liability and responsibility," held the forum.