Dubai–Mangaluru Air India Express flight leaves passengers’ luggage behind in Dubai
Mangaluru: Passengers arriving from Dubai on an Air India Express flight to Mangaluru on Saturday evening were left angry and helpless after learning that their luggage had not arrived with them and was left behind in Dubai.
When the flight landed and travellers went to collect their baggage, they were informed by the airline staff that several bags had not been loaded due to the aircraft being “full”. The staff assured passengers that the missing luggage would arrive on the next flight from Dubai at 5 am on Sunday and would be delivered to their addresses.
The explanation, however, did little to calm the passengers. Many of them including those who had travelled just for a day or were carrying perishable items got into heated arguments with the airline staff at Mangaluru International Airport.
“Why didn’t you inform us in Dubai before taking our baggage? If there wasn’t enough space, why were we allowed to board with full tickets? You’ve given us receipts saying the luggage will reach Mangaluru but left it behind without a word. Had we known this earlier, we wouldn’t have taken this flight,” some passengers questioned.
Several travellers said they had essential items and clothes in their checked baggage. “You say the bags will come tomorrow morning, but of what use is that when some of us have to return tonight itself?” one passenger said.
Airline staff reportedly told the passengers to provide their contact details so that the luggage could be delivered to their homes once it arrived. However, many travellers said they were not satisfied with the response.
Some frequent flyers alleged that such issues were becoming common with Air India Express. “This is the third or fourth time this has happened to me,” said one passenger. Others demanded compensation for items that might get spoiled due to the delay.
The flight, which was scheduled to depart from Dubai at 12 pm and reach Mangaluru by 5:30 pm, took off only around 2:30 pm and landed at 7:20 pm. Upon arrival, the baggage issue came to light, leaving many passengers frustrated and angry with the airline’s handling of the situation.
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Indigo crisis: Shivakumar urges Centre to act immediately, bring situation under control
Bengaluru (PTI): With large scale flight cancellations by Indigo airlines leaving passengers stranded, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday urged the Centre to act immediately and bring the situation under control.
He called the IndiGo fiasco a the direct result of the govt's monopoly model.
Taking to social media platform 'X', Shivakumar said India is witnessing the worst aviation meltdown in its history. "Thousands of flights cancelled - leaving our people stranded everywhere".
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"The IndiGo fiasco is the direct result of the govt's monopoly model. And as always, it is ordinary Indians who are paying the price," he said.
Shivakumar said that the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, which is India's 3rd busiest airport with nearly 40 million travellers a year, is in complete chaos.
"This is hurting families, businesses and our national reputation. I urge the Union Government to act immediately and bring this situation under control. Our people deserve better," he added.
Domestic carrier IndiGo cancelled over 800 flights on Saturday, the fifth day of the ongoing crisis, even as the government imposed a cap on airfares and directed the airline to process all refunds by Sunday evening.
