Mangalore: Air India Flights Hit Due to Pilots' Strike, Passengers Suffer

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, May 11: The crisis that has hit Air India leading to undue delays and cancellation of flights has had a direct impact on passengers.

Being holiday season, there are scores of Mangaloreans who have either come to India on vacation or are going on pleasure trips. But the strike by Air India pilots has poured cold water on their plans.

The problem arises mainly because the airline does not inform its passengers well in advance in case of a delay or cancellation of flight. An e-mail is sent at the last minute, which in many cases goes unnoticed by passengers. Also, by the time they learn of the delay/cancellation, it is too late to make alternate arrangements for travel.

Every day, there are hundreds of passengers from Mangalore who fly to Gulf countries. Most book their tickets well in advance, including return tickets in accordance with the demands of their jobs, and any change in schedule upsets their plans.

John and Suzie Crasta, residents of Bejai who were on a month-long vacation in the city had to return to Kuwait on Thursday May 10. Their flight was at 6 pm, and till noon there was no sign of any change in the schedule. Late in the afternoon they received an e-mail from Air India stating that their flight had been cancelled.

"We had to report on duty on Sunday May 13, and hence we had to return to Kuwait immediately. We contacted a private travel agency and made arrangements to fly to Chennai on Friday and then to Colombo in Sri Lanka, and from there to Kuwait by Sri Lanka Airways on Saturday evening," they said.

Air India flights across the country have been hit after scores of pilots reported 'sick' and refused to work. As many as 45 pilots were sacked and the Airline's pilots' union was de-recognised by the management. For the fourth consecustive day, the pilots continued their strike, leading to cancellation of several international and domestic flights.