Calcutta: Fliers fumed, Air India counted its losses and private airlines made the most of a lean-season surge in traffic as the strike by pilots of the national carrier entered the sixth day.
Air India operated only eight of its 20 flights out of Calcutta on Monday, leaving in the lurch many fliers who had booked tickets weeks in advance. Worse, some of the flight cancellations were announced at the last moment.
Soldier M.K. Jitsing, on his way to hometown Imphal on annual leave, decided to travel by train after being told by Air India officials that they could not immediately transfer him to a private airline. “They kept me waiting for information about my flight status, only to cancel it. Then they said there was no vacancy on any other flight. I don’t have the money to buy a fresh ticket,” rued the 27-year-old, posted in Jalandhar.
Had Jitsing opted for a private airline, he would have had to pay nearly 30 per cent more than for his Air India ticket. To travel by a private airline on an Air India-endorsed ticket, he would need to wait up to three days.
Many fliers complained about Air India misleading them about the status of their flights. Rajesh Agarwal, headed for Guwahati, reached the airport in time for his 1.35pm flight but no official could confirm whether it was delayed or cancelled.
03/04/11 The Telegraph
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