Dar Es Salaam — THE Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority Consumer Consultative Council (TCA-ACCC) has said that it had received more than a hundred complaints from airline customers last year.

Speaking to the 'Daily News' in Dar es Salaam during the World Consumer Rights Day held today, the TCA- ACCC Executive Secretary, Mr Hamza Johari, said that passengers now knew their rights and claimed damages from the carriers.

Many of the complaints received were based on flight delays, luggage lost while others were on delayed and damaged luggage.

He said that the majority of Tanzanians did not demand compensation when they faced delays, damage, or any other irregularities while on transit.

He said that many consumers did not demand compensation because of bureaucratic procedures.

"It takes years for civil cases to be settled and generally, the cost of following up one's right is very high and therefore consumers find it a waste of time," Mr Johari noted.

He said that awareness among consumers in the country was very low. He attributed the trend to a number of factors namely, the deep-rooted culture of contentment.

He said that in cases of delay of flights, under the Montreal Convention a passenger is supposed to be paid an equivalent of USD 5000 in Tanzanian shillings.

He said that airline customers were liable for damage sustained in the event of an accident that causes death or bodily injury to passengers and that the liability of the carrier for each passenger in such event is USD 120,000 or its equivalent in Tanzanian shillings.