Khaleej Times

DUBAI , July 12:  Several passengers cancelled scheduled trips to Mumbai from different airports in the UAE yesterday in the wake of the serial bomb blasts that swamped Mumbai's commuter rail network.

According to travel agents, a large number of people opted to postpone or cancel their air-tickets following the explosions in Mumbai. "A large number of passengers cancelled tickets. We cancelled at least 20 tickets immediately after the news first broke," said a travel agent, requesting anonymity.

"People who had planned trips to south Indian states via Mumbai also cancelled tickets. It's a panic reaction. Some people even cancelled tickets to Delhi fearing repercussions in the capital," the travel agent disclosed.

Binukumar, manager of Parakkat Jewellery Chain, said: "I booked a ticket to Mumbai in an Indian Airlines aircraft scheduled to leave Dubai at 11.45 yesterday. After I heard of the explosions, however, I cancelled my ticket. I will now wait for a few days and, if the situation settles down, might go to Mumbai," he said.

A source at Air India said, "Our aircraft left yesterday at 5.30 pm to Mumbai. It was before the news spread. Our next aircraft is scheduled to go today evening. It is still early to say whether there will be cancellations."

A source at Indian Airlines said, "We cannot say anything now. Our aircraft is scheduled to leave at 11.45 from Dubai to Mumbai tonight (July 11). We will have a clear picture about the cancellations only after the passengers check in at the airport."

A source at Emirates, which operates three flights to Mumbai from Dubai everyday, however, observed: "So far, no cancellation of tickets has been reported at our reservation centres. We did not cancel any service either."