The ongoing saga of unannounced flight cancellations continues to frustrate passengers at Chennai International Airport. On Wednesday, November 20, as many as 12 flights operated by Air India Express were cancelled, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded.
While flight disruptions during severe weather are often unavoidable, this latest round of cancellations was attributed to "administrative reasons" by the airline, a vague explanation that offered little solace to affected passengers.
The cancelled flights included six departures and six arrivals. Destinations impacted by the cancellations included Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and Siliguri. Among the departures, the 7:45 am flight to Kolkata, the 8:25 am flight to Bengaluru, and the 12:35 pm flight to Siliguri were among those grounded. Similarly, incoming flights, such as the 9:00 am service from Bengaluru and the 1:45 pm service from Kolkata, were also scrapped.
Stranded passengers expressed their frustration at the lack of clear communication and alternative arrangements. “We were informed about the cancellation at the last minute. It’s extremely inconvenient, especially for those traveling for urgent commitments,” said a passenger bound for Thiruvananthapuram.
This incident highlights the need for better planning and communication from airlines to avoid inconveniencing passengers and damaging customer trust.