SC directs SAI to compensate passengers who remained stranded in China

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Tuesday directed the Shaheen Airline International (SAI) to pay monetary compensation to over 214 passengers, who were remained stranded in China for a week.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar resumed hearing of the suo moto notice on the matter.

The apex court last week ordered the airline to bring back all the stranded passengers home by Monday.

During the course of proceedings, the CJP remarked that the passengers had suffered mental stress for remaining stranded at a Chinese airport for so many days and ordered the airline to pay monetary compensation to all of them.

The SAI chief executive officer (CEO) informed the court that the airline could pay Rs 5 million as compensation to the passengers as it had also borne their expenses in China.

To this, the CJP observed that the airline should pay Rs 100,000 each to passengers for the ordeal they had undergone.

The SAI CEO responded that he would consult the finance department, and blamed the CAA for the fiasco.

The CJP then instructed the SAI CEO to apprise the court of the airline’s dispute with the CAA in writing on next date of hearing, and how much money it would pay to the passengers as compensation.

The case was adjourned till August 20.