Budget airline cancels its operations to Goa

Dubai: Air India Express, a budget airline from India, has decided to cancel its operations to west Indian state of Goa just a week after it opened its seat bookings much to the annoyance of the travellers who bought a ticket.

More than 500,000 Goans live in the UAE.

Jayshree Ramchandran, a senior official of the Air India Express based in the UAE, said those who have booked their tickets will either get full refund or will be provided with alternative arrangements.

"Those who had purchased their tickets from us are not that large in numbers. We are right now working out options so that they do not waste even a single day and are able to travel to Goa," said Ramchandran.

The budget airline was scheduled to operate its flights to Goa from June 18 thrice a week.

Connectivity

Currently Indian airlines operate direct flights to Goa twice a week. Indian, which used to operate thrice a week direct flights to the state, had also stopped its operation as of March 30 due to low seat bookings.

Public pressure and recommendations forwarded by country manager Anand Kumar Pandey to the airline headquarters in India restored its operations to Goa twice a week. One of the main reasons for Air India Express to stop operations to Goa is load sustainability after the peak season comes to an end.

"The peak season is from June to December but after that the question is whether or not our flights will operate in its full capacity. Indian already has two flights going to Goa per week and if we were to operate three flights the total number of flights to the state will be five," said Ramchandran.

A one way ticket to Goa on Air India Express costs Dh800 to Dh900 gross.

Ritu Wilson, a customer, said: "I just hope that I get some better options to fly back to Goa for summer. I don't want a refund."