Krishna, Chennai

Dear Readers, Looking at the comments here, it is apparent that there are issues being faced by both crew and passengers on Air India Express. As one reader pointed out, it may also depend on our behaviour towards the crew. However, if you feel very strongly about the services of Air India Express, you can write directly to Air India''s Chairman and Managing Director Mr. Arvind Jadhav at "cmd@airindia.in" He will look into the complaints, and will even reply to you personally. Things are changing at Air India now.

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Padmanabha Shenoy, Udupi / Saudi Arabia

If the cabin crew of Air India would have been polite and professional the flight would have been not landed in Mumbai Airport spending lot of time and money. whatever the situation, if they were polite they could have been controled the situation and taken action on these duo in Dubai.

My experience with Air India and Air India express is not good at all that''s the reason I avoid travelling in these carriers. Privatising the Airline will solve all these problems otherwise also what benifit these carriers have given to the government? loss loss and loss? why not Privatize?

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Vijay Prabhu, Kundapur/Canada

Like all of you guys who have commented, I also have travelled as a patriotic Indian, on numerous AI flights from M.E. i.e Saudi Arabia/Dubai to India, and would agree that the service was not the best but at least comaparable...I am talking of the 80''s and 90''s period. But guess what when I moved to Canada in early 90''s and travelled to India twice by AI, in Business Class as well as Economy Class, I and my wife were treated very differently by a young AI hostess, who was so kind, gave us her e-mail and home (Mumbai) address and kept in touch with us. She made it a point to meet us when ever we touched India (whether at Mumbai or Madras, now Chennai). So the point is that if we talk to the air hostess respectfully ....they will respond to you equally well or even better! If as a passenger you are arrogant, just because you are paying a fare to fly in AI, then they will also be more arrogant than you!.

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RD prabhu, mangalore/dubai

Ruchi-If you don''t like something-change it and if you cannot change it..which in this case shift your loyalty to AI then change your attitude-Dont complain. Fyi-RD prabhu has travelled the world and has a jumbo passport full of stamps but I dont complain and also don''t stay in one situation that is unpleasant to me and mine.

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Ronald Sequeira, Bajpe/ Mangalore

AI need a competitor. Then I am sure nobody will choose AI to fly in this route

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Vijaya Shetty, Bahrain/Mumbai/Udupi

I am not supporting the passengers who misbehaved but do agree and have experienced that AI airhostess are very rude and unprofessional. Though the air-fare is cheap but it doesn''t mean that they should be discourteous to their passengers. I had even sent an email to the Customer Service department but never got any feedback from them.

I would never like to travel through AI but don''t have any option if wanna fly directly to Mangalore.I wish we get some satisfactory flights with good service for Mangalore in future.

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Ruchi, Dubai

Looks like RD Prabhu, is either a frustrated Airline staff or has never left Mangalore, putting them behind bars without knowing the facts, you talk like Taliban? when airline staff make a complaint, you say put behind bars, when we complain about the poor service you say boycott, why the hell boycott, we pay tax, its our national carrier, we have the right to raise a voice and give suggestion.

We dont say hang the staff no no, we just say move with time, before it''s too late, I am sure all are aware of the stituation the Airline is in, we should support the National Carrier, but they too should move on, not hire a person and retire a person in the same job, come on man grow up

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RD prabhu, mangalore/dubai

So Ruchi boycot AI and offer yourself to the ion commitee of air hostesses. Time to stop complainig on which you have no control but u can certernly change your route as well destiny.

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ruchi, dubai

Not knowing the truth, people are jumping into conclusion, and giving AI staff too much credit, I have travelled in and out of Gulf for over 25 years several times and in almost every airline possible, and without doubt though I dont usually take any special serivce on my journey, AI cabin crew are the worst behaved in the world and the Gulf-India sector is unbearble, first of all all the cabin crew are 50 , and with over 20-25 years of service they are tired and restless, with some chronic sickness, they do get agitated even when a glass of water is asked.

So for sure in this case AI staff are overdoing, for sure the passengers have not behaved the way they are portraited, no complain is every treated with any correction, when a passenger complains about the AI cabin crew, now these frustrated AI lot are making a huge cry of the incidence and some people are just jumping into conclusions.

Its high time that the airline goes and moves on with time, with young energetic, cabin crew appointed and seniors, gracefully given ground duties, Air India should not have a police, join as a airhostess and reitire as a airhostess,its very unfortunte, if these things are sorted out things will ease, let us atleast take a small leaf from the other airlines and do some thing better, hope we will see a change in Air India soon, before I board my next flight. Cheers

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Gurudath, Mumbai/M''lore

I hope AIE gets sued for damages by passengers. Their reaction was disproportionate to the likely threat. They probably landed in Mumbai as they were confident that people on ground there are equally partisan.

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E. Saldanha, Kadri, Mangalore.

Last I took a flight to Kuwait was sometime in the late seventies. I was disappointed at the uncourteous behaviour of the crew and unsecheduled delays of AI then and decided never to fly again on AI. But when AI started flights from various Gulf points to Mangalore, I was a bit envious as they are direct and take very short time to reach the destination. These flight would also eliminate the unwanted hassels at Mumbai in changing the airports from international to local. Fortunately that was sixteen years ago. When I read the news about the misbehaviour of the passengers, I felt sad and thought this kind of behaviour by the passengers was unwarranted. Now, when I go through the comments of my friends, I realize that the direct flights of AI instead of becoming a blessing have become otherwise. It is a national shame and the concerned authorities should take those responsible to task and improve the image of the airline immediately lest we will face international criticism and be dumped into the stinkiest bins. E. Saldanha

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Roy Vijay D'' Silva, Cordel / Sharjah

We all working in the Gulf are aware of the attitude of AI cabin crew. Just think if You were in the shoes of those two passengers. I can recall around 15 years ago when I had to go to Bombay in an emergency and seat was available only with AI. Those days Smoking was permitted in Smoking areas and the ground staff had issued a boarding pass to an non-smoker in the Smoking Area.

That passanger objected to the Smoking of the rest and instead of making some other arrangements the AI crew supported Him. I fought on behalf of the Smokers as it was AI staff inefficieny to seat the passanger in the appropriate place.

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Agnelo, Saudi Arabia

Agreed that the passengers accused were unruly and deserve to be taken to task. But then, we all who work in the Middle East/Gulf know very well how courteous the AI Cabin Crew is? They are rude most of the time and courtesy is not at all in their list of service. And this happens usually on the Gulf routes which infact give AI the most profit throughout the year.

The staff should learn to respect passengers even though he/she may be a blue collar or a white collar. AI staff needs to learn this in order to avoid such incidents in the future.

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Godwin D''Souza, Mangalore/Kuwait

I travel four times a year since last twenty on International routes, how ever I have used AI three times because stupid swollen fat-so''s who serve passengers by blocking the aisle.Secondly the food served happens to be decomposed. If the passengers were to be handed over to Dubai Police first thing is AI in trouble because Dubai Police is not like Indian Police filing false charges

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KUMAR, mangalore

I am a frequent traveller. Not only by AI but also by some other carriers. i observed one thing. We normally shout at AI staff for bad service. But we never shout at the staff of other airlines. We bear everything and moreover we say their service is good. AI staff are from our own country,i feel thats why we are criticising more. I dont think that other than the fare and luggage matter, the service is good. Now a days maintaining time also

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MOHAN POOJARY, Kankanady,Mangalore

Whatever may be the difference between Hindus and Muslims , but when question arise regarding SPIRIT they are united. Mr.Prasad Shetty and Mr.Shahnawaz Khan are good exemples. JAI HO HINDU MUSLIM SPIRIT.

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Ashraf Habibi, GANGULI/DAMMAM

AIE ..Please note it is the "Smiling faces" & politeness that makes the difference... No body wants to see the "Swollen faces". & the arrogance!!

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Anand Dsilva, Dubai

The pricing difference between a direct flight and a transit flight via Mumbai is minimal. Plus you can avail extra baggage, good meal & beverages, movies, magazines and a good service when travelling via Mumbai plus the leniency to carry extra liquor to those who like it.

The joy of taking the domestic flight from Mumbai to Mangalore can never be substituted. There is absolutely no fun travelling on a direct flight to Mangalore. It is better to spend slightly more and travel in style than this direct international flight that is actually worse than a domestic flight.

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richard d souza, dubai

Two horrible wrong don''t make a right! Air india express service is bad and passengers are cribbing about this and fighting inflight then why choose this flight and it is like paying and prayig for suffering. Change your route and opt for better service from other airlines.

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KS Bhat, Peruvai vil, Bantwal Tq. / Kazakhstan

Here, I would like to point out 3 aspects, as I have been following up this news deligently as I am a regular flier to M''lore from Dubai/Sharjha atleast 6 times a year, either directly or via Mumbai/B''lore: 1. Firstly, for the benefit of many ignorant readers & commentators here who make unfounded comments: Being budget airline, Liquor is served in the Air India Express on PAYMENT basis and it is NOT FREE. 2. As most of the eye-witness co-passengers who have commented on this incident incl. Daijiworld reporter Naveen Frank who was also hapless co-passenger, the Cabin-crew are really ill-groomed & arrogant due to the high sense of job security being a govt airline. Also, it must be ill-effect of the Reservation Roster system even for promotions in Govt sector where the m''gmt is forced to give accelaerated time-bound promotions to the reserved category employee even with low performance rating. I mean the supervisor of cabin crew must be from the this category! 3. Just see in the link below what type of false charges where framed on these passengers by the arrogant cabin crew/pilot: BOTH WERE BOOKED FOR ASSAULT AND OUTRAGING THE MODESTY OF A WOMAN ! Can you believe it? Can any co-passengers vouch for this? This is the reason that instead of Dubai, the crew decided to land in Mumbai where they have known people in airport & police stations and filing false charges would be easier at Mumbai than in Dubai. B''coz in Dubai, the crew might have faced charges if they file false charges.

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Mutahhir M H, Ganguli/Dubai

AI Services are not bad as people comment,but AIE management should improve the facilities and the quality of food they are serving in the flight.I hope passengers are diffinitely cooperating with the cabin crew.

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M LOBO, MANGALORE

POOR SERVICE COMPOUNDED WITH ARROGANT CREW HAS BEEN LEADING TO SUCH INCIDENTS FOR WHICH AIR INDIA IS SOLELY TO BE BLAMED WHICH HAS BEEN NOTED DURING SELFS FLIGHT ON AIR INDIA. WHY NO BODY IS PROTECTING THE PASSENGERS AND TAKING THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY WITH THE AIR LINES AND TAKING TO TASK.NO DOUBT AIR INDIA IS RUNNING SUCH HUGE LOSSES -REASON POOR BEHAVIOUR FROM CREW IN TODAYS COMPETITIVE WORLD WHERE CUSTOMERS ARE KINGS REGARDS. M LOBO

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Amzad, Udupi/Sharjah

When I fly in budget airlines I keep my expectations in budget, I dont expect Business class treatment.

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Roshan, Mangalore/ KSA

Thank GOD that we have now direct flight to Mangalore. According to me it is just not only the responsibility of cabin crew/pilot but it is our responsibility also to cooperate with them. Whatever they do that is for the safety of all passsengers on board. I travel three times a year to Mangalore with AIE from Bahrain but never had any issues. My dear freinds, If you have any problems to travel with AIE please travel via Mumbai but please do not misslead others. See youself first how good and polite you are.

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Wise man, Mangalore

I request Daijiworld to forward the readers comments to Air India Express Higher Management and the ministry of Aviation, as so many passengers have experienced the inconvenience caused by the Crew of Air India Express. We either need to boycott this airline and demand for other airlines to fly this route.

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RESHMI, mangalore

EVERY ONE KNOWS THE AIR INIDA''S BAD SERVICE.THEN WHY YOU CHOOSE NEXT TIME AGAIN?

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subhas shetty, kurady /dubai

Dont blame AI Staff , these 2 people they dont no how to behave , now a days safety is very very important in all type of travel, in air its more important. these people are making problem for all passangers for the silly alcohol, they should be punished.

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raymond Lobo, Mangalore/Canada

It is better to know from other passengers who ever seen or heard while on board. Just blaming anyone may not be correct as every one concerned about their own safety first.

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joe, dubai,mlore

This is not a surprising thing,usually it happens in AI xpress flights flyin to Mangalore,because of worst service provided in this flights.government should approve some other flights to mlore.

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SUJITH, UDUPI

To stop this type of incidents in future AI should appoint BOUNCERS

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Ospin .R. Serrao, Mangalore

The Air India Experss Journey to Mangalore is a bad experience to most of the people those who are travelling on this route. The Cabin crew behavious is not acceptable to most of the passengers. If there is any other airline flying to to this destination then I bet no one will travel with Air India Express.

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R.Lobo, Qatar

In what way the Air crew is responsible for not serving alcohol in the flight? When you already know that its budget airline you know the expectation Why do you board that flight. You have many other Airlines which serve what you need? Do anyone has guts to behave like this in Emirates Airlines?.

Safety comes first and crew has to follow policies. It was a great struggle by some nice people to make this flight possible. Let us co operate. This is right time for Air India to ACT on improving its quality of service..If not now WHEN? Passengers....Please switch OFF(not silent mode) mobile in the aircraft as it has a potential to kill all on board.

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Jess, Mangalore/Kuwait

Since AI staff/hospitality issue is being discussed let me tell you all my experience. On 5th June we 6 of us were travelling to M''lore and I wanted one more ticket extra for my mom when i asked AI office they said no the flight is full, and when we boarded the flight more than 30 seats were available (AI staff informed me when I checked in the flight) secondly, though we checked in first but we got the last seats next to the toilets and it was smelling so bad we felt as if we were sitting next to the public toilets, when we told the air hostess she hardly paid any attention, but one steward brought air freshner and kept spraying 3-4 times our full journey was miserable. This is our first experience of direct flight.

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A.R.Ibrahim, Jeddah

AIE picked similar fight with one passenger last year in Kerala, but since that passenger was strong he exposed AIE framing charges. Later All Keral Airports managed to break AIE monopoly. Hope this incident will be beginning of other airlines initiative to operate in this route.

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Arun , Mangalore Dubai

I was one of the suffered passenger in this flight on thursday night sitting 3 seats ahead. As far as what i have seen, it wasnt the scene as dipected by the media nor did these people make such a big scene. They started of casually asking for Booze with the crew and were reacting in normal manner joking that Air India Doesent serve booze or some thing.

The scene was very normal. May be they might have got drunk before coming but werent createing any problem. The reaction of the crew was more disturbing than these people and it appeared they started tensing the situation by making it a issue than ignoring these people.

Then the things went bit out of hand. From my first opinion from what I have seen I blame AI staff for not able to handle a simple situation and creating inconvinence for all the passengers that night without any regret.

May be they are running so down they want some compensation. At the same time the Airline didnt bother to cater to the needs of passengers, women & children who were held up for more than 6 hours in the flight because of all these naatak. Typical Airindia Express

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RD prabhu, Bangalore

Put this guys behind bars for inconviencing other passengers and causing ruckus in mid air. Forward their names to Dubai authorities so when they land here they go straight to jail where they will be served well.

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Vincent D''Souza, Belthangady

Not very far off, Surely and I Bet, the need to ban carrying Mobile Phones in the Aircraft will come into force. Just wait and see!

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Louis D'' Costa, Barkur / Kuwait

Al Jazeera, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, please fly to Mangalore. We are fed up with Air India Express. Louis - Kuwait

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suhail, Mangalore

AI Crew cant handle 2 drunken passengers so sad..... Just 2 passengers they wasted the fuel costs of 1000 bottles of alchol.... thank god they were passengers.

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Bhaskar, Kinnigoli/Dubai

Who knows who is right and who is wrong, unless it is clarified further by viewing the recorded thing or discussed with co-passengers. One should be charged who ever has done the wrong thing. You should also understand others are also travelling in the same flight, why others have not raised any voice.

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Jude, Mangalore Dubai

Back in January, I swore that I would never fly Air India Express again. I was in Mangalore two weeks ago, flying by Emirates and Jet Airways via Mumbai. I had the most comfortable flights and a nice holiday. I wish more people opt to travel this way and put an end to the arrogance of the Air India express staff. They are simply not qualified to be in the service and hospitality industry.

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Ashraf Habibi, GANGULI/DAMMAMM

Passengers were used to & it is essential also to get good inflight service...no matter even if we have to pay more...Airlines should not have compromised on the standard!!..in a bid to make profit they may be tempted to compromise on safety measures also!!apart from hiring ill trained staff. ''Low price,Low inflight service,Low safety measures ".

This trend must be stopped !! Here not serving alcohol is the root cause..instead of tackling professionally(may be they lack training!! Budget Airline, Budget training !!), they fell prey to the arguements & lost the mindset..very risky. Solution:Charge more,,give good service by professional staff.

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Saleem GH,Amchinadka, Puttur/Abu Dhabi

I agree with Kavitha shetty. As a verbal argument cant'' be a justification. Should conduct deep investigation regarding this.

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Carmen Fernandes, Karkala/Kuwait

The company where I'm working, we get a free ticket every year. But most of the Manalorean staff fly via Mumbai. They are ready to pay the difference but doesnt want to travel by AI bcoz of the bad experience.

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Oliver Mascarenhas, Mangalore / Dubai

Let us not condone these guys'' unruly behavior just because of our regular experiences of "not up to the mark" behavior of the AI staff. If we travel by AIR, we are bound by the rules and regulations of the AIR-TRAVEL AUTHORITY. There is no excuse here. I feel the staff acted as per the rules of the air-travel authority. Safety comes first. . Another choice was whether to land in Dubai or in Mangalore. That is the decision the Captain has to take. If the destination port does not accept the responsibility to handle this situation, the Pilot is right according to the guidelines given to him to land at the best choice of airport where the airport authorities and the law takes control. And remember lets not critise AI Staff or the local travelers.  I also want to advice Naveen Frank here who I truly respect for his good work. Brother Naveen, I think this time you missed to report a balanced view in your initial reporting. There are always two sides of a story. Otherwise, excellent reporting Naveen Good Luck and God Bless.

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Bob, Dubai

Dear Kavita, I dont think you fly a lot. Please stick to KSRTC buses .Unruly behaviour on an aircraft cannot and should not be tolerated. saftey of fellow passengers cannot be compromised I flew the same aircraft a week ago and alcohol was not served even then .I was told off politely by the cabin crew .I did not make an issue over that. AI staff, please continue to do your job.

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Ashok Shetty, Mangalore/Dubai

Why are the readers blaming AI crew? They did the right thing. You are supporting these thugs misbehaving because they didn''t get alcohol?

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FELIX, BAJPE/MUSCAT

Now I understand why our Indian Airlines and Air India and Air India Express are running under loss. No body wants to fly with them. I have observed for the past 22 years that the hospitality and in flight services given in the above airlines is very poor. Its high time other airlines start to operate to and Fro Mangalore. Then the nose of AIE will be tight.

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Shrinivas Prabhu, 92,HEROOR BANTAKAL/SHARJAH

Your are right Kavitha.All the passangers hate this flight.I don''t blame on staff but management is not good. I fly twice a year and every time new bad experience.!

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Ronald Mathias, Bahrain / Mangalore

Air India in the brink of Bankruptcy. The Air Hostess of India Express (Gulf Sectors) are very un trained, rude and not worth to work as Air Hostess. Many passengers opinion is- in the high season the Air Fare of Ain India Express is more than other Airlines with a BAD service. Air India have to take action on Pilot as well as Crew who are responsible for diverting the flight to Mumbai.

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Madhukar , Udupi/Dubai

It must be due to unprofessional handling of passengers by AI staff. If they handled it properly such incident would not have happended.

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Fernandes , Kuwait / Mlore

Why do all blame the AirIndia Express staff / crew? We too happened to travel on the same day but thankfully to Kuwait and had absolutely no problems at all! The cabin crew were polite and good to all and none of the passengers had any problems / complaints We must thank God for the direct flights he has given us after a long time of waiting.

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Kavitha Sheety, Mangalore

The additional fuel cost for diverting the plane via Mumbai and all demurrages, landing charges has to be deducted from capt''s cabin crew''s salary. Verbal argument can''t be a justification to divert the flight. KSRTC bus conductors are far better prepared than AI cabin crew in that matter.

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Veeru, Udupi/Muscat

Undoubtedly, AI staff are undoubtedly unprofessional, illtrained. Not only crew, AI staff at the counters, inside the airport are also, specifically at Muscat airport. They consider every passenger travelling in AI are as ‘labours ’. But, we have no other options until Oman Air or other flights starts flying to n from M’lore.

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