Air India strike grounds passengers

Passengers were given help,but will have to buy expensive tickets and pay cancellation charges.

Hours before Air India derecognised the agitating pilots union Indian Pilots Guild the national carrier officially had canceled only three early morning flights operating from Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport till Tuesday afternoon. Three more flights were cancelled later in the day,two of which were scheduled to fly on domestic routes.

Passengers of the three early morning flights on Tuesday AI-101 to New York,AI-187 to Toronto and AI-127 to Chicago had been provided accommodation in various hotels.

Air India officials were unable to provide a clear picture as they were waiting for the agitating pilots to report for duty.

Normally,the pilots are expected to sign in three hours before the scheduled departure of a flight. Most of our international flights operated on schedule,other than some which experienced minor delays. By afternoon,the scenario was clearer and we cancelled the Singapore flight scheduled to depart just after midnight and two other flights. A schedule for Wednesday has also been issued, said an airline official.

Officials said passengers whose flights were cancelled are being given a choice between hotel accommodation,tickets for a later flight or a ticket in another airline depending on availability of seats.

If passengers unsure of the status of their flights get their tickets cancelled,they will have to buy expensive tickets and pay cancellation charges on the Air India ticket.

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