National carrier Air India is known for its rather callous attitude towards passengers, and the latest to bear the brunt of it is union minister Venkaiah Naidu.
Naidu had to cancel his visit to Hyderabad after his AI flight was delayed because there was no pilot. The senior BJP leader was scheduled to visit Hyderabad for a meeting on Tuesday afternoon. A statement by Air India later said the pilot was stuck in a traffic jam and thus couldn’t report on time.
A furious Naidu expressed his ire over the airline through a series of tweets, slamming the government carrier for its uncaring attitude towards the customers.
Here’s what Naidu said on Twitter
I had to travel to Hyderabad by Air India AI544 which is to depart at 1315 Hrs… was told on time.. reached airport by 1230 Hrs. 1/
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) June 28, 2016
was informed at 1315hrs that flight was delayed as d pilot had not yet come.Waited up to 1345 Hrs, boarding didn’t start.returned 2 home 2/
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) June 28, 2016
Air India should explain how such things are happening. Transparency and accountability are the need of the hour. 3/
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) June 28, 2016
Hope Air India understands that we are in the age of competition. Missed an important appointment.4
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) June 28, 2016
The Union minister’s tweet immediately evoked a reaction from Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju who said that the department has ordered inquiry into the incident.
Service disruptions are unacceptable and have to be eliminated. Have asked AI to enquire and take action on priority https://t.co/vwVwfPMKVf
— Ashok Gajapathi Raju (@Ashok_Gajapathi) June 28, 2016
India Today reported that the flight on which Naidu was scheduled to go eventually took off at 2:28 PM.
But by then Naidu had returned home.
Feature image source: ScoopWhoop/PTI
