The Carriage by Air Act, 1972 · III — LIABILITY OF THE CARRIER

Section 22. (1) In the carriage of passengers the liability of the carrier for each passenger is limited to

In force · As amended up to 2026-08

22. (1) In the carriage of passengers the liability of the carrier for each passenger is limited to the sum of 1,25,000 francs. Where damages may be awarded in the form of periodical payments, the equivalent capital value of the said payments shall not exceed 1,25,000 francs. Nevertheless, by special contract the carrier and the passenger may agree to a higher limit of liability. (2) In the carriage of registered luggage and of goods, the liability of the carrier is limited to a sum of 250 francs per kilogramme, unless the consignor has made, at the time when the package was handed over to the carrier, a special declaration of the value at delivery and has paid a supplementary sum if the case so requires. In that case the carrier will be liable to pay a sum not exceeding the declared sum, unless he proves that that sum is greater than the actual value to the consignor at delivery. (3) As regards objects of which the passenger takes charge himself the liability of the carrier is limited to 5,000 francs per passenger. (4) The sums mentioned in this rule shall be deemed to refer to the French franc consisting of sixty-five and a half milligrammes gold of millesimal fineness nine hundred. 22. (1) In the carriage of persons the liability of the carrier for each passenger is limited to the sum of 2,50,000 francs. Where, in accordance with the law of the Court seized of the case, damages may be awarded in the form of periodical payments the equivalent capital value of the said payments shall not exceed 2,50,000 francs. Nevertheless, by special contract, the carrier and the passenger may agree to a higher limit of liability. (2) (a) In the carriage of registered baggage and of cargo, the liability of the carrier is limited to a sum of 250 francs per kilogramme, unless the passenger or consignor has made, at the time when the package was handed over to the carrier, a special delaration of interest in delivery at destination and has paid a supplementary sum if the case so requires. In that case the carrier will be liable to pay a sum not exceeding the declared sum, unless he proves that that sum is greater than the passenger's or consignor's actual interest in delivery at destination. 22. (1) In the case of damage caused by delay as specified in rule 19 in the carriage of persons, the liability of the carrier for each passenger is limited to[2] [five thousand three hundred forty-six] Special Drawing Rights. (2) In the carriage of baggage, the liability of the carrier in the case of destruction, loss, damage or delay shall be limited to[3] [one thousand two hundred eighty-eight] Special Drawing Rights for each passenger unless the passenger has made, at the time when the checked baggage was handed over to the carrier, a special declaration of interest in delivery at destination and has paid a supplementary sum, if so required. In that case, the carrier shall be liable to pay a sum not exceeding the declared sum, unless it proves that the sum is greater than the passenger's actual interest in delivery at destination. (3) In the carriage of cargo, the liability of the carrier in the case of destruction, loss, damage or delay is limited to a sum of[4] [twenty-two] Special Drawing Rights per kilogramme, unless the consignor has made, at the time when the package was handed over to the carrier, a special declaration of interest in delivery at destination and has paid a supplementary sum, if so required. In that case, the carrier shall be liable to pay a sum not exceeding the declared sum, unless it proves that the sum is greater than the consignor's actual interest in delivery at destination. (b) In the case of loss, damage or delay of part of registered baggage or cargo, or of any object contained therein, the weight to be taken into consideration in determining the amount to which the carrier's liability is limited shall be only the total weight of the package or packages concerned. Nevertheless, when the loss, damage or delay of a part of the registered baggage or cargo, or of an object contained therein, affects the value of other packages covered by the same baggage check or the same air waybill, the total weight of such package or packages shall also be taken into consideration in determining the limit of liability. (3) As regards objects of which the passenger takes charge himself the liability of the carrier is limited to 5,000 francs per passenger. (4) The limits prescribed in this rule shall not prevent the Court from awarding, in accordance with its own law, in addition, the whole or part of the Court costs and of the other expenses of the litigation incurred by the plaintiff. The foregoing provision shall not apply if the amount of the damages awarded, excluding Court costs and other expenses of the litigation, does not exceed the sum which the carrier has offered in writing to the plaintiff within a period of six months from the date of the occurrence causing the damage, or before the commencement of the action, if that is later. (4) In the case of delay, destruction, loss or damage of part of the cargo, or of any object contained therein, the weight to be taken into consideration in determining the amount to which the carrier's liability is limited shall be only the total weight of the package or packages concerned. Nevertheless, when the delay, destruction, loss or damage of a part of the cargo, or of an object contained therein, affects the value of other packages covered by the same air waybill, or the same receipt or, if they were not issued, by the same record preserved by other means referred to in sub-rule (2) of rule 4, the total weight of such package or packages shall also be taken into consideration in determining the limit of liability. (5) The provisions of sub-rules (1) and (2) shall not apply if it is proved that the damage resulted from an act or omission of the carrier, its servants or agents, done with intent to cause damage or recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result: Provided that, in the case of such act or omission of a servant or agent, it is also proved that such servant or agent was acting within the scope of its employment. 1. Subs. by S.O. 987(E), for "one lakh thirteen thousand one hundred" dated 2-3-2020. 2. Subs. by S.O. 987(E) for "four thousand six hundred and ninety four" dated 2-3-2020. 3. Subs. by S.O. 987(E) for "one thousand one hundred and thirty one" dated 2-3-2020. (5) The sums mentioned in francs in this rule shall be deemed to refer to a currency unit consisting of sixty-five and a half milligrammes of gold of millesimal fineness nine hundred. These sums may be converted into national currencies in round figures. Conversion of the sums into national currencies other than gold shall, in case of judicial proceedings, be made according to the gold value of such currencies at the date of judgment. 4. Subs. by S.O. 987(E), for "nineteen" dated 2-3-2020. (6) The limits prescribed in rule 21 and in this rule shall not prevent the court from awarding, in accordance with its own law, in addition, the whole or part of the court costs and of the other expenses of the litigation incurred by the plaintiff, including interest. The foregoing provision shall not apply if the amount of the damages awarded, excluding court costs and other expenses of the litigation, does not exceed the sum which the carrier has offered in writing to the plaintiff within a period of six months from the date of the occurrence causing the damage, or before the commencement of the action, if that is later.

Source: India Code

How this section changed

  1. substituted by Notification S.O. 987(E)

    Date not stated in the footnote

    Earlier wording: “four thousand six hundred and ninety four”

    Footnote: 2. Subs. by S.O. 987(E) for "four thousand six hundred and ninety four" dated 2-3-2020.

  2. substituted by Notification S.O. 987(E)

    Date not stated in the footnote

    Earlier wording: “one thousand one hundred and thirty one”

    Footnote: 3. Subs. by S.O. 987(E) for "one thousand one hundred and thirty one" dated 2-3-2020.

  3. substituted by Notification S.O. 987(E)

    Date not stated in the footnote

    Earlier wording: “nineteen”

    Footnote: 4. Subs. by S.O. 987(E), for "nineteen" dated 2-3-2020.