Indian fliers seem to be in no mood to let the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud their holiday plans to the West, even though ash from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano has resurfaced since May 4.
Indian fliers seem to be in no mood to let the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud their holiday plans to the West, even though ash from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano has resurfaced since May 4, leading to closure of airspace in some European countries, and causing flight delays and diversions in most others.
Satish Kumar, 40, from Lokhandwala, Andheri (West) is all set to fly to the US on May 13. "I am going to meet my brother who had been cajoling me not to come because of the ash. But I have been looking forward to this vacation and I will definitely go," he said.
Like Kumar, many Indians are continuing with their holiday plans to the US, Europe, the UK and other parts of the world. "In spite of the ash, none of the airlines have cancelled their flights. However, passengers have to travel at their own risk," said Nandita Bedi, owner of Vibrant Tours and Travels at Fort.
But the travellers are up against more than just the ash. Air India flights, particularly those destined to Europe, are likely to be affected as a major cabin crew union has threatened to start 'work-to-rule' agitation from midnight to protest the management's alleged failure in resolving wage and career related issues.
The Shiv-Sena backed All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA), which claims representation of around 3,000 cabin crew in the national carrier, has directed its members to adhere to the timings related to flights, duty and rest period and not perform beyond these rules. "All crew have been directed to adhere the flight time, duty time and minimum rest periods strictly from midnight on Wednesday," AICCA general secretary Sanjay Lazar said.
Air India, however, has denied receiving any communication from AICCA and has assured passengers that flights operations would be normal.
British Airways is facing a similar problem. According to Benazir Nazar, director, Akbar Holidays, “The ongoing strike of British Airways' (BA) cabin crew has started affecting people flying with the airline, but many are still going ahead.”
Rajesh Rateria, chairman, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) said that some people have shifted their destinations to the Middle East and Far-East Asia. "Some passengers have cancelled their travel plans to Europe and are now going to Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha for vacations," he said.
(With agency inputs)
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