Qatar Airways Ordered to Pay Over NPR 26 Million Compensation for Injuring Passenger with Hot Coffee
News Summary
Reviewed and editorially approved.
- A consumer court has ordered Qatar Airways to pay NPR 26,192,406 in compensation to Priti Thapa, who was injured by hot coffee served during an international flight.
- The incident occurred on July 10, 2023, during a return flight from Boston to Kathmandu, when extremely hot coffee was served by the airline staff.
- The court based the compensation order on the Montreal Convention and the Consumer Protection Act, allowing the airline 30 days to appeal.
May 21, Kathmandu – Qatar Airways has been ordered to pay more than NPR 26 million in compensation to a Nepali woman injured by hot coffee served by the airline staff during an international flight.
The consumer court bench comprising Chief Judge Diwakar Bhatt and members Gehendra Raj Regmi and Anand Raj Pokhrel delivered the verdict in favor of Priti Thapa of Lalitpur on Thursday.
The court took into account the severity of the physical and psychological injuries she suffered and decided to award compensation based on two separate laws.
According to Homnath Kandel, the information officer of the consumer court, the court applied both an international treaty and domestic law as the basis.
“The court has ordered Qatar Airways to pay NPR 24,152,406 under the Montreal Convention and an additional NPR 2 million under the Consumer Protection Act,” he stated. “In total, the airline must pay NPR 26,192,406 in compensation.”
Although Priti initially sought USD 200,000 in damages, the compensation was determined by the court based on facts and legal provisions, Kandel explained.
The incident took place on July 10, 2023, when Priti was returning from Boston to Kathmandu via Qatar Airways. During the flight, crew members served her excessively hot coffee which spilled onto her abdomen, thighs, and sensitive areas, causing serious burns.
The complaint was filed in the consumer court on June 10, 2023.
Immediately upon landing at Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways took Priti for emergency treatment where she was diagnosed with second-degree burns. The pain and medical expenses resulting from these injuries prompted her to seek legal action.
Priti had purchased a round-trip ticket in May 2023 for the Kathmandu-Doha-Boston route. The court noted the airline’s negligence with respect to flight agreements and safety standards in issuing the compensation order.
However, the case is not yet fully resolved.
According to Officer Kandel, after the verdict is published, Qatar Airways must pay the compensation or may file an appeal within 30 days in the higher court if dissatisfied with the decision.