In the long run, the ongoing strike by Air India (AI) pilots and the non-conciliatory approach of the management is definitely a disaster for the airline commercially as this uncertainty will play on the passengers’ mind when they plan to book a ticket in future.
“Next time, I will definitely not book tickets with Air India. I would prefer a foreign airline as the flight fare is similar. I chose to fly with Air India only because it is an Indian company,” said Mr Kisai Thulla, an agronomist engineer from Andhra Pradesh.
For Chennai-based Kantel Technologies vice-president Kumar Natarajan, the uncertainty and lack of accountability has made him change his mind: “Hereafter, I will prefer private airlines as their efficiency and customer support are better.”
An aviation expert told this newspaper that this strike and the subsequent cancellation of flights would definitely have a cascading effect on the passenger’s mind.
“It is bound to reflect on its balance sheet,” he added.
However, a few like consumer activist and frequent traveller Desikan still prefer AI as he feels its pilots are good and their safety records are excellent. The industry expert agreed that the national carrier would continue to receive patronage as demand was great these days for air travel.
30/04/11 S. Sujatha/Deccan Chronicle
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