Passenger inconvenience again,this time it’s Etihad

According to Rajagopalan,they had flown in from Raleigh early on May 18 to reach the New York airport on time to catch a Etihad flight to India,departing at 10.50 am. They left their residence at 3 am,but once they reached New York airport they got to know that this flight had been rescheduled to 10.50 pm. “We had to wait for nearly 14 hours at New York airport. Both of us are senior citizens and we had to wait without any proper food as both of us are vegetarians,” Rajagopalan said.

“It is very surprising that such a reputed airline made no efforts to inform them of the change in schedules despite giving all the contact numbers and e-mail address to them. Also then,what is the use of giving phone numbers and contact addresses,” said Venkatesh Srinivasan,their son-in-law.

However,Etihad said,in its response to the complaint sent by Venkatesh,that flight times could change and it is highlighted on its website and in its e-mail confirmation of bookings. “If the ticket was directly purchased from Etihad Airways,all passengers would be automatically notified by e-mail or telephone. If they purchased their ticket through a travel agent,we notify them and request them to pass on the information. It is very regrettable that this does not appear to have happened on this occasion,” the response signed by their senior guest affairs officer,Mohamed Kamil,said.

But on enquiry,it was found that even their Thane-based travel agent,Cross World Travel and Tours,was also not informed. “It was a horrible experience and I somehow managed to survive as I do not even eat eggs. Their counter was only opened at 4.30 pm when I could speak to someone from the airline,” said Rajagopalan.

Earlier this month,passengers on board an Air France flight from Boston had complained of racial bias on part of the airline. However,some airline officials did defend Air France and said that the transit visas could not be provided to Indians,as there is no understanding that exists between the Indian government and Europe’s Schengen visa countries. “It could happen anywhere,even in Germany or Switzerland,” said a senior Air France spokesperson.

However,Pradeep Lulla,president of the Travel Agents Federation of India,said the airline did not even provide the passengers with basic amenities such as food and water. “They could have at least provided them with their lounge facilities if Indians were not allowed outside the airport.”