Travel, Airlines - Lufthansa : late arrival in Londaon from Anjkara, Turkey

Complaints.com received the following e-message on June 9, 2001:

From: ibrahim ozdemir [Email User]

Late arrival - Lufthansa

Thursday, 07 June 2001

Lufthansa German Airlines

Terminal 2. Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, Middx.

TW6 1BR

UK

Dear Madam/Sir,

I am a professor at Ankara University, one of the oldest and most

prestigious universities in Turkey. I was often invited by different

international universities and centres to give speech or lectures. The last

one was to meet and give talks to Muslim Community in London, June 1, and

attend a conference organized by Markfield Conference Centre, Ratby Lane,

Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9SY, United Kingdom, June 2-3, 2001.

However, my program and performance were negatively affected by a fault

resulted from your company.

In fact, I chose Lufthansa as a friend of mine recommended it as "the

company of the 21st century". My flight LH4660 from Anjkara via Munich to

Heathrow was so far so good. However, when I landed at Heathrow on May 31,

and went to collect my baggage, I was disappointed. My suitcase was missing.

I applied to the desk and filled in a form. However I satisfied with their

kind answer that as it was a quick connection at Munich, my suitcase was

left behind. They also told me not to worry about it, because the suitcase

will be delivered to my address in the afternoon. I relaxed and went to my

place. Seeing that it is not delivered in the afternoon, I phoned your company

several times. In the late afternoon they told me that it would be delivered

the next morning. This delay caused me much stress and pain. Frankly, I

should state categorically that the delay has affected me psychologically. I

have to give two lectures to Muslim Community in London next day without my

paper and all my clothes. As a result, I had to re-write my paper all night

and buy some new clothes, i.e., a suit, a shirt, a tie, a pair of socks,

under-wears, a bath kit, and a shaving kit to meet this unexpected

situation.

Two days after my arrival in London I still did not see my bag. I called

your office without success and this state of affairs only heightened my

anxiety and psychological condition. In the late afternoon of Friday, I have

to leave for Leicester without my personal belongings. I got my bag and

personal belongings only on Saturday, when I was already in conference. (See

attached photocopy of documents) Moreover, my bag was not in good shape and

condition. It seemed as it survived from a disaster like "Titanic". As you

see, I could not get my personal belongings, which caused stressful days for

me.

However, I do not want to lose my confidence in your company. Although, I

know the European Convention on Human Rights very well, (see appendix) I am

ready to regard this case as an exceptional one. But, I do insist and

emphasize that as your company directly or indirectly violated some of my

basic rights, it must compensate for my material and psychological pains. I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Professor Ibrahim Ozdemir

Ankara University

Divinity School (Ilahiyat Fakultesi)

B.evler-Ankara, 06500 TURKEY

Phone: 90-535 658 1514 and 90-312 240 6382 Email User