DIMAPUR, MAY 9 (MExN): Angry passengers of Air Deccan Airlines vehemently protested the cancellation of flight without prior notice at Dimapur Airport, today. Irked by the schedule disruption caused by the cancellation of the flight from Calcutta to Dimapur, at the last moment and the failure to intimate the passengers, the passengers took to fury and huff. Reportedly the initial reason for the cancellation was given on weather conditions but after sometime, it was informed that there were technical problems.
Vijay Bhartti, a business man, said that the passenger had been informed only after reaching the Airport, though they had even submitted their mobile numbers while purchasing the e-ticket.
He further slammed the entire management saying that there was no manager at the airport who could solve the inconveniences of the passengers, only the commercial staffs were present who did not even know if their tickets were refundable. Saying that the cancellation of the flight which was to fly to Imphal had affected the schedule of his other three flights, Vijay alleged that the real reason for cancellation was the lack of passengers from Calcutta to Dimapur.
Another passenger, Tarun Kr. Vaish, lamented the lack of proper customer care who when contacted was not even aware of the flight cancellation. He further added that they (Air Decccan) did not even know the number of the Airport when they had called up from their hotel, to find out if their flight was on time.
The ground crew of Air Deccan present at the Airport, said they themselves had received information of the cancellation at 8am and were unable to inform the passengers since they did not have the phone numbers of the passengers.
They further justified that the flight had ferried 6 passengers yesterday and therefore it was unreasonable to cancel their flight when there were as many as 18 passengers today. The crew also announced that the tickets of the passengers would be refunded for the cancelled flight but were authorized on the other connecting flight which may be affected by the cancellation. They also justified it was clearly written in the tickets that such cancellation might be necessitated due to various reasons in consideration for their own safety.
Air Deccan has been operating in Dimapur, for a little of a month now since March 26, 2007. The staff informed that at an average, they had ferried 25 passengers daily during the last month. They also said that they were facing some difficulties as the Airport had not yet given them permission to install a V-set, but it present issue was being made into a big issue unnecessarily as there is never any assurance provided to the passengers at any time.
It was later informed by PK Travels that, the flight had actually not been cancelled but landed at Dimapur after some delay at 1:20. Reportedly, the flight which was supposed to reach Dimapur en-route Imphal was delayed by several hours due to the weather in Imphal but finally the flight operated directly to Dimapur. He added that the whole hue and cry at the Airport was the result of communication gap and misunderstanding between the Dimapur and Calcutta stations.
.jpg)
