Mangaluru: Passengers travelling on Air India Express faced severe inconvenience on Saturday night after the airline cancelled its Mangaluru-Dammam flight, originally scheduled to depart at 11:10 p.m. The cancellation was communicated only after multiple delays, leaving travellers stranded at the airport.
Flight delays followed by cancellation
The flight was first delayed to 11:45 p.m., then further postponed to 1:40 a.m., before passengers were finally informed that the journey had been cancelled. The sudden announcement came as a shock to many passengers who had already made arrangements to reach the airport on time.
Passengers allege lack of assistance
Several passengers reported that Air India Express staff offered little to no assistance during the ordeal. According to travellers:
- No water or food was provided for hours.
- There was a lack of clear guidance or communication regarding the cancellation.
- No arrangements were made for accommodation or alternative transport, leaving passengers to make their own arrangements late into the night.
Travellers expressed frustration over the last-minute notice and inadequate support, highlighting the impact on families and business travellers who had connecting plans.
The airline has not yet issued an official statement regarding the reason for the flight cancellation or the steps being taken to assist affected passengers.
Growing concerns over airline passenger services
Incidents like these add to ongoing concerns about passenger rights and airline accountability, particularly when flights are delayed or cancelled at short notice. Airlines are required under Indian aviation regulations to provide assistance, including meals, accommodation, and rebooking, depending on the circumstances of the disruption.
Passengers and consumer rights groups are urging the airline to clarify the situation and ensure proper support for those affected.