Mangaluru: Self-proclaimed budget flight Air India Express grounded its Mangaluru Abu Dhabi flight IX 815 stating technical reasons due to which passengers had to face problems.

On the other hand, passengers travelling on IX 816 Abu Dhabi Mangaluru also had a difficult time since the same flight would be used for this route too. People who had to attend important events in Mangaluru had to cancel their plans whereas people on visit visas had a tough time since most of them travel on the last day of their visas and need to pay penalty for overstay.

After passengers insisted for alternative arrangements, the Air India local management agreed to make hotel arrangements.

When contacted the local Air India office over phone, as usual no one was available. The Abu Dhabi airport Air India manger took no responsibility for the cancellation and said only once the new flight arrives at Mangaluru with a new crew, the passengers will be taken to Abu Dhabi. He failed to confirm the new departure time.

It has become a regular situation specifically with Air India with least caring attitude to its customers.