The past few days have been a catastrophe for airline industry all over the world, particularly in India. The 2 fatal air crashes within 6 months, killing hundreds of passengers as also the crew, made it mandatory for all the airlines to ground their fleet of Boeing 737 Max 8. This has thrown air travel in several countries out of gear.
Then the Indian flagship carrier Jet Airways has run into severe financial difficulties and as a consequence has grounded many of its aircrafts in India. Passengers like me, who had planned their journeys months before to visit their families, had to abandon their travel plans and are now eagerly awaiting their refund of money.
As Jet Airways has cancelled hundred of flights, the cost of cancellations is mounting. The pilots have threatened to go on a strike as they have not been paid their dues from December last year. Etihad Airways have refused to lend a helping hand to the airline. Indian Government is trying to arrive at an amicable solution with the help of State Bank of India. Till then the poor travellers have been left in dismay and despair.
Bharat Shah
Rayners Lane, Harrow
