Alliance Air leaves hundreds of passengers in the lurch at Lakshadweep airport

Kochi: Over a hundred tourists from Kerala who had booked tickets to the state on Alliance Air flights have been stranded at Agatti airport in Lakshadweep without accommodation, food or medicines for over two days after the airline cancelled all its services from the island since Sunday. Making matters worse, the number of such passengers is rising every day as Alliance Air is continuing to cancel flights, citing bad weather conditions. Meanwhile, the stranded tourists have accused the Alliance Air staff of negligence and non-cooperation. The tourists had stayed at various resorts in Lakshadweep and had vacated their rooms before reaching the airport to return home.

However, many of them were informed about the cancellation of their flights after receiving the boarding pass. Now they cannot stay at the resorts as the rooms have been occupied by other tourists. Many of the tourists trapped at the airport are currently staying at the homes of Lakshadweep residents. The tourists said that other airline companies provide accommodation and food to passengers when flights are cancelled. However, Alliance Air has refused requests in this regard, they alleged. According to the passengers, Alliance Air staff told them to go to court, when they requested a place to stay and food. One staff member at Agatti airport even said that he would give this statement on record.

Among the stranded passengers is a 25-member group of senior citizens from Kozhikode. Several of these tourists suffer from various ailments and need medical attention. But, the stock of their regular medicines has been exhausted. “I am an asthma patient. With my inhaler empty, I spend the nights struggling for breath. I don’t know what to do. The behaviour of Alliance Air staff towards passengers who have paid for their tickets is despicable,” said Usha Mathew, one among the aggrieved passengers. Apart from elderly passengers, people carrying infants and small children are also stranded at the airport. Ironically, while Alliance Air is cancelling flights, other airline companies such as Indigo and Fly91 are conducting regular services between Lakshadweep and the mainland, said passengers.