Jet turbulence hits Paris-bound flyers from city
Ayyappan.V@timesgroup.com
Chennai:12.04.2019
Travellers from Chennai heading to Paris may now have to fly via one of the hubs in the Middle East as the trouble in Jet Airways has hit the Chennai-Paris direct flight service.
On Wednesday night, passengers to Paris were stranded at the city airport after Jet Airways cancelled its flight without advance information. Many had reached the airport but could not be accommodated on other flights via the Middle East because they were either full or were expensive.
Jet has not withdrawn services on the route. Its staff informed passengers that fares would be refunded. Saturday’s flight is on schedule.
Sources said passengers had an argument with Jet staff after they failed to offer an explanation for the cancellation. Many had to return or find accommodation in the city and figure out alternative plans.
“A few passengers who had booked through agents asked to reschedule the trips but that could not be done because airfare is in the range of ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh for 24-hour advance booking on the Chennai-Dubai route,” said an official.
Basheer Ahmed of Metro Travels said a few passengers were booked on an Air India flight. Last-minute cancellation leads to hassle for tourists as they have to reschedule hotel and tour bookings in Europe making their holidays expensive, he said. Travel agents are also getting requests for rescheduling holidays booked earlier on the direct flight.
Online ticket portals have stopped displaying most of Jet Airways’ schedule to prevent passengers from getting stranded and eliminate hassles of issuing refunds due to flight cancellations.
There is uncertainty over the schedule of Jet Airways after it hit a financial crisis. The airline has lost most pilots while the remaining ones have demanded pay arrears.
A lessor has also seized an aircraft for non payment of dues.
Ayyappan.V@timesgroup.com
Chennai:12.04.2019
Travellers from Chennai heading to Paris may now have to fly via one of the hubs in the Middle East as the trouble in Jet Airways has hit the Chennai-Paris direct flight service.
On Wednesday night, passengers to Paris were stranded at the city airport after Jet Airways cancelled its flight without advance information. Many had reached the airport but could not be accommodated on other flights via the Middle East because they were either full or were expensive.
Jet has not withdrawn services on the route. Its staff informed passengers that fares would be refunded. Saturday’s flight is on schedule.
Sources said passengers had an argument with Jet staff after they failed to offer an explanation for the cancellation. Many had to return or find accommodation in the city and figure out alternative plans.
“A few passengers who had booked through agents asked to reschedule the trips but that could not be done because airfare is in the range of ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh for 24-hour advance booking on the Chennai-Dubai route,” said an official.
Basheer Ahmed of Metro Travels said a few passengers were booked on an Air India flight. Last-minute cancellation leads to hassle for tourists as they have to reschedule hotel and tour bookings in Europe making their holidays expensive, he said. Travel agents are also getting requests for rescheduling holidays booked earlier on the direct flight.
Online ticket portals have stopped displaying most of Jet Airways’ schedule to prevent passengers from getting stranded and eliminate hassles of issuing refunds due to flight cancellations.
There is uncertainty over the schedule of Jet Airways after it hit a financial crisis. The airline has lost most pilots while the remaining ones have demanded pay arrears.
A lessor has also seized an aircraft for non payment of dues.
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