Consumer forum orders AirAsia to pay ₹90k compensation for damage to a rare plant due to flight delay

According to the complaint, the farmer had travelled in August 2025 from Kochi to Indonesia via Kuala Lumpur to procure a hybrid jackfruit sapling for his farm. On his return journey, his AirAsia flight from Medan-Kualanamu to Kuala Lumpur was delayed by several hours, causing him to miss his connecting flight to Kochi despite a layover of over three hours.

He submitted that upon reaching Kuala Lumpur, he had approached airline officials seeking an alternative arrangement. He contended that he had even expressed willingness to pay additional charges given the sensitive nature of the sapling he was carrying.

However, he was allegedly informed that the next available flight to Kochi was only after three days. The farmer argued that this was misleading as he had later secured a seat on another AirAsia flight the next day on his own.

Due to the delay and lack of timely assistance, the sapling was damaged and became unusable, rendering the purpose of his trip futile and causing financial loss. He also incurred additional travel and accommodation expenses.