Air India flights to Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore at lower fares cancelled! Public shocked!
Posted on: 20/Nov/2019 1:58:46 PM
Alliance Air Corporation, a subsidiary of Air India, started flight services from Chennai to Madurai, Trichy, Coimbatore, and Vijayawada 2 years ago with smaller aircraft known as ATR which can carry 74 passengers.
2 services were operated daily from Chennai to the above cities and then back to Chennai. Thus there were 16 daily flight services. The flight fares for these smaller aircraft are much lesser than the flight fare for larger aircraft.
However, within 6 months after these flight services commenced, the flight services to Visakhapatnam was stopped suddenly without any prior announcements. However, the flight services for the other 3 cities continued.
When these flight services commenced 2 years ago, the Air India Officials had informed that ‘the flight services have started now for just the 4 cities presently. However, this will be expanded gradually and flight services will commence to other locations such as Salem and Thoothukkudi gradually’! On the contrary, now the flight services to Visakhapatnam have stropped now!
In a further sudden development, the 6 flight services to Madurai, Coimbatore and Trichy from Chennai have been cancelled since yesterday (Tuesday, 19th November) without any prior announcement! These flights took off from Chennai to the 3 cities and returned. Thus a total of 12 flight services have been cancelled.
As the flight fare was less and affordable, the economically middle-income cadre passengers were taking these flights regularly and now, they stand shocked at the cancellation of these flight services!
The refund for the flights booked is being returned to the passengers.
When enquiring about this to the Air India authorities, they explained, ’the administrations are earnestly engaged in cost-cutting activities. Further, there is a shortage of aircraft as well! So, it has been decided to cancel the flight services where not many passengers are taking flight services. Accordingly, these flight services have been temporarily stopped until 30th November.
A review meeting will be conducted subsequently and a decision will be taken regarding the resumption of lights. It is also planned to use the aircraft for the cancelled flights to other areas where the demand is higher. However, there are no prospects of organizing flights from Chennai! However, the weekly 3 flight services operated from Chennai to Jaffna (Yaazhppaanam) will continue!’.
