Vizag: Air passengers had an unpleasant experience on Sunday, a festival day. The sudden cancellation of six flights sparked protests at the airport here. According to airport officials, the flight cancellations were due to adverse cold weather conditions.
Leading airlines Indigo and Air India canceled their Vijayawada, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai flights to and from Visakhapatnam. Unfortunately, both airlines failed to provide suitable alternatives for the affected passengers.
The airport director, Raja Reddy, reported, “There was a sense of agitation at the Visakhapatnam Vizag airport. Passengers engaged in heated exchanges with both Air India and Indigo. However, the airlines eventually arranged accommodations for the passengers, and the airport returned to a peaceful state.”
He further stated, “Alternative flights will be organized tomorrow, ensuring these passengers reach their intended destinations.”
Additionally, the ongoing cancellation of night flights between 9 pm and 8 am, due to runway resurfacing, added to the passengers’ distress. The airport, controlled by the Navy, has prohibited night flights from November 15 to April 1.
K. Vijay Mohan, CEO of Welfare Holiday World Tours and Travels, highlighted, “We had four flights scheduled to depart for Hyderabad after 9 am, and five flights in various directions between 6 am and 8 am. Unfortunately, these stranded passengers can only board their flights after 8 am.”
The inconvenience faced by the passengers due to the flight cancellations at Vizag Airport has led to severe dissatisfaction among travelers. The airport authorities, as well as the concerned airlines, must prioritize the smooth operation of flights and ensure transparent communication to minimize any further inconvenience caused to passengers.