Daily News & Analysis

Mumbai, Dec 21: For many, British Airways (BA) may be the most favourite airline in the world. But Feroz Ali Khan, 31, does not agree. A British Airways passenger, he allegedly suffered loss of at least Rs 1 lakh after his baggage went missing and returned without many valuable items in it.

Khan, who works in England in a private company, boarded BA (flight no. 199) from Manchester to Mumbai on December 4. According to the complaint letter, Khan found his baggage missing when he arrived at the airport. Later, he was told by the staff that it would be delivered by the next flight. But Khan had to rush to Aurangabad, his home town, in a connection flight.  He was assured again by a staff that it would reach him by courier at his residence.

Khan did receive the courier from VIP baggage services which handles BA’s baggages on December 7. But many items were missing. “It was neatly packed and even the lock was perfect. I had no reasons to doubt. But when I opened, I found at least 12 items missing. A gold ring, gold chain, wrist watch, jacket and some electronics items (including a Motorola phone) were missing,” said Khan in his complaint.

Khan contacted BA officials in Mumbai, who told him if he produced original receipts of the missing items, they would compensate. “Though it was not possible to locate all receipts, we found some and presented them, but not heard anything from them after that,” he said. “No one is even picking up the phone. They have given the number. It’s so surprising and shocking,” said Khan’s father Afzal from Aurangabad. Khan met Additional Police Commissioner (West) Bipin Bihari at his office on Tuesday and gave him a complaint, which was routed to the Sahar airport. “We are investigating,” said CK Chauhan, PSI of Sahar police station.

Rahika Raikhy, the BA spokesperson in India and Tehrem Ashraf in London, said they would give details after looking into the facts. “I have no clue as of now. Send me the details. I will get back to you,” said Raikhy.