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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New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Police has recovered 1,850 stolen and lost mobile phones worth around Rs 4 crore in past 40 days under "Mission Reconnect", an initiative aimed at returning phones to their rightful owners in outernorth Delhi, an official said on Saturday.
The recovered phones were traced from different parts of the country, including remote areas, through technical surveillance and sustained field operations, police said, adding that the devices were handed over to their owners during a programme at the Sports Ground, New Police Lines, Kingsway Camp.
The initiative focused on a victim-centric approach and aimed at strengthening public trust through proactive policing and coordinated efforts across states, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outernorth) Hareshwar Swami said.
As part of the programme, teams performed 'nukkad nataks' and screened awareness videos on cybercrime, drug abuse prevention, and senior citizen safety, sensitising the public about digital frauds and safety measures, officials said.
The initiative combines technology, investigation and community participation to ensure recovery of lost property and reconnect citizens with their valuables, they added.
