I am a frequent flier in UAE-Kochi sector, normally from Abu Dhabi.
On 23rd February I had booked in Dubai-Kochi Air India Express flight IX 434. When reached at Dubai airport I was informed that the flight was cancelled and would be able to fly only on next day’s same flight. The reason for the cancellation of the flight was not at all convincing. Many passengers like me where stranded at the airport. No alternate arrangement was made. I told to the officer on duty that I was coming from Abu Dhabi and had no place to go back in Dubai, he had expressed that he could not help. A choice was given to me to go on the same day’s flight up to Kozhikode. When I requested to arrange a conveyance from Kozhikode to Kochi, the officer on duty at airport flatly refused. I had no choice but to accept the Kozhikode flight IX 344.
After reaching Kozhikode, I could understand that there were two flights from Kozhikode to Kochi. I had requested the staff in Air India office to arrange a seat in one of those flights. But the junior staff at the office told that she could not help as the officer on duty was at the apron for attending the aircraft. Though there was enough time to arrange, she checked with somewhere and informed me that she could not help. At the end I had to arrange my own conveyance from Kozhikode to Kochi and reached home.
If you conduct a survey, you will realise that in general people are not happy to fly in Air India, due to the uncertainty of the timings and general behaviour of the staff. Why I accepted Air India was due to the convenience in the flight timing and little less in fare.
There are many other flights in the same sector with better service and surety to reach home in time. Instead of attracting more customers, with such uncertainty and misbehaviours of the staff, Air India will be further plunging in to loss, irrespective of the any effort to bring up. Surely my choice of carrier will be changed from Air India.
Joy A Kurien
8A-Belair Apartments
Panampilly Nagar
Kochi - 682036
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