Family Of 8 Spends Rs 49 Lakh On Flight, KLM Denies Boarding At Bengaluru Airport

A family holiday is usually planned with excitement and anticipation, especially when it marks a rare gathering of loved ones travelling together. However, for J S Sathishkumar, chairman of a medical institution based in Salem, Tamil Nadu, a long-planned international family trip ended not at the destination they had dreamed of, but in a courtroom. What was meant to be a celebratory 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.

Court Orders 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 directive was issued by a civil judge and judicial magistrate in Devanahalli, under whose jurisdiction Kempegowda International Airport falls.

The order 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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Purchased Tickets Costing 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 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.

Denied Boarding Moments Before Departure

According to Sathishkumar, 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.

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Confusion In Visa Entry Rules

Airline staff 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.

Alleged 'Red-Flagging' Leads To Further International Travel Trouble

The matter did not end at the boarding gate. According to the complaint, after the family protested the decision and indicated that they might seek legal action, they were allegedly "red-flagged" by the airline.

Sathishkumar claims this internal airline action led to further complications during subsequent international travel for the family members.

He recounted that his son was later stopped in Singapore and questioned about a supposed deportation from Peru - a country he had never entered.

Sathishkumar reported experiencing similar scrutiny when travelling to Australia, where he too was questioned repeatedly about the incident.

Speaking to The New Indian Express, he said that although he has not yet received a refund for the cancelled tickets, the case is about accountability rather than compensation. "Action should be taken. Otherwise, this can happen to anyone," he was quoted as saying.

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.