Airline cancels specially planned, low-cost flight for pilgrims at the last moment; travellers who had arranged for accommodation left in the lurch
Thousands of pilgrims were left in the lurch when a leading airline cancelled their flight at the last moment.
Jet Airways, which was supposed to start a low fare, special flight between Mumbai and Jeddah on June 14 for people travelling to Umrah (see box) had to cancel the flight after they failed to get clearance from the Saudi government.
The abrupt cancellation meant that Muslims on their pilgrimage were caught in no man’s land.
“It’s wrong and unfair on the part of the airline. How can they issue tickets without having the requisite permission to fly?” asked Abdul Hamid Sheikh.
The executive with an IT company was supposed to fly with his family, including his five-year-old baby, on June 27.
“We are left with no option, but to take a Mumbai-Jeddah flight via Abu Dhabi.
We will have to spend 24 hours at the Abu Dhabi airport for the connecting flight. It’s going to take a toll to wait that long with my baby,” added an angry Abdul.
Iqbal Mulla, treasurer, Travel Agents Association of India, said, “The flight will now take off from July 15,” he said.
Cheated clients
Tour operators too are worried since their clients feel cheated. “It is difficult to convince our clients.
They are demanding an alternative flight at the same rate, but that’s not possible,” said Haji Shoukat Bhai Tamboli, president, All India Haj Umrah Tour Organisers Association.
Other commuters are upset because they have spent money on accommodation already. “Who will pay for that?
The competitors are trying their best that Jet Airways does not get permission for the flight,” revealed Tamboli, who has made 45 bookings for Umrah.
A travel agent from Pune is still waiting for a reply from Jet Airways. “We have been unsuccessfully trying to contact the airlines. Our clients are very disappointed,” said the agent.
Baseless allegations
The Jet Airways spokesperson, however, rebuffed all allegations. “Most of our passengers were accommodated in an alternative flight. Those who demanded money were provided with the same,” said the spokesperson.
What is Umrah?
The Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any time of the year. It is sometimes called the ‘minor pilgrimage’ with Haj being the ‘major’ pilgrimage.
While the Haj is compulsory for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, the Umrah is not.
–Agencies