Date:08/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/08/stories/2006090823450400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Flight delay causes hardship to passengers

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Nearly 50 Chennai-bound Air Deccan passengers faced tough time at the airport here as they awaited their aircraft for four hours on Thursday.

The passengers came to the airport at 6.30 p.m. for check-in when many of them got an SMS that the flight would take off at 7 p.m. But after security check-in, they were told that the aircraft would take off only at 8 p.m. Yet, an hour later, they reportedly got to know that the aircraft would take off at 8.45 p.m. By this time, the passengers got restive. Their grouse was there was nobody to complain or seek help. "There were many elderly people and children among the passengers. The attitude of the company was very unhelpful. After struggling for four hours, we were not even offered a cup of water," said R. Ramaswamy, a passenger, after reaching Chennai well past 10 p.m.

A Chennai-Bangalore flight was delayed for over four hours under similar circumstances. "The Chennai office of the company did not even know that the scheduled flight was cancelled. Around 9 p.m., all the counters usually close down, and passengers find it tough to get even tea," said Xavier, a passenger on that flight.