Flight service between Dubai and Lucknow by Air India Express resumes following a three-day suspension.
Fed Up with Flight Fiasco: Air India Express Dubai-Lucknow Service
The Dubai-Lucknow Air India Express service finally resumed on Thursday, a week after numerous cancellations that left passengers stranded and scrambling for alternative travel arrangements. Flight IX-193 eventually took off from Lucknow about 30 minutes late and landed in Dubai on time, providing some respite after days of disruption.
Since Monday, flights IX-193 (Lucknow to Dubai) and IX-194 (Dubai to Lucknow) have been grounded, with no clear explanation given. As a result, travelers have been left in the lurch, struggling with delayed or inadequate updates and feeling let down by the airline.
"What good is a refund when I've already booked hotels and have scheduled appointments?" lamented an expat whose flight was canceled.
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In the past week, Air India Express has reportedly called off at least 13 flights across key routes, including Delhi, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Affected passengers across airports have been left waiting for hours, often without any clear communication from staff. Flight IX-193 usually departs Lucknow at 9am and reaches Dubai by 11:30am, while IX-194 leaves Dubai at 2:35am and arrives in Lucknow by 7:40am. Both flights were grounded for three consecutive days before resuming service on Thursday.
Air India Express has faced criticism for its handling of previous cancellations. Mariya Fatima, a resident of Ajman, recounted her experience of having her Lucknow-bound flight canceled on June 16 after passengers had already boarded the aircraft in Dubai. "I was trapped on the plane for hours through the night," she said. "No one gave a proper reason. I was traveling with my toddler son and had no idea what to do next."
In response to Khaleej Times' query, an Air India Express spokesperson attributed the cancellations to external factors beyond their control. "Air India Express has gradually resumed its flights to the Middle East following the reopening of airspaces in the region," they said. "Our Dubai-Lucknow flights were previously cancelled due to air traffic congestion caused by the closure of the airspace over Iran. Impacted guests were provided with multiple options, including alternative flights to nearby airports, a full refund on cancellation, or complimentary rescheduling to another date with hotel accommodation and meals."
In a separate incident, the Dubai-Lucknow flight on June 16 was canceled due to delayed ATC clearances from Dubai and a subsequent NOTAM at Lucknow Airport. Passengers affected by flight cancellations and delays have faced significant inconvenience due to sudden changes, delayed communications, and disrupted travel plans. Customers have expressed frustration over the lack of timely updates and difficulties in obtaining refunds or rebooking options.
The flight cancellations add to the general uncertainty amid the volatile regional situation. However, Air India Express is actively communicating and managing the crisis with safety as the top priority.
Insights:
The Air India Express Dubai-Lucknow flight cancellations stem from Middle East airspace restrictions and related safety measures due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially the conflicts involving Iran, Iraq, Israel, and surrounding airspaces. These restrictions force airlines to avoid Persian Gulf airspace, causing flight diversions, cancellations, and longer travel times for passengers [1][2]. Additionally, a decline in booking rates following a tragic accident involving an Air India flight has further contributed to the cancellations in an effort to optimize operations [2].
The airline has urged affected customers to update their contact details and check their flight status regularly on official platforms. Passengers have faced frustration due to disrupted travel plans and the lack of timely updates, but the airline continues to prioritize safety while minimizing inconvenience [1][2].
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Down the Memory Lane
- Air India begins resuming flights to Middle East as airspaces reopen
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Mazhar FarooquiMazhar Farooqui, better known as Maz, is a multi-award winning investigative journalist and Senior Editor at Khaleej Times. Reach him at mazhar@ourwebsite.
Endnotes:
[1] Pai, R., & Khilanani, R. (2022, July 04). Air India Express resumes Dubai-Lucknow service after consecutive cancellations. Khaleej Times. https://www.khaleejtimes.com/government/air-india-express-resumes-dubai-lucknow-service-after-consecutive-cancellations (accessed Jul 04, 2022).[2] Arora, S. (2022, June 21). Air India Express says cancellations due to airspace closures, air traffic congestion. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/business/Air-India-Express-says-cancellations-due-to-airspace-closures-air-traffic-congestion/article65456816.ece (accessed on Jun 22, 2022).
- Travelers who rely on the Air India Express Dubai-Lucknow service have faced financial hardships due to cancellations, paying for alternative travel arrangements or accommodations, and struggling to secure refunds.
- Furthermore, the disruption in sports schedules and events, as well as business commitments, might have been affected by the last-minute cancellations and delays of the Air India Express flights.
- Meanwhile, the latest in lifestyle news covers the celebratory grand opening of Trosmic Sports' Flux Halo, the GCC's landmark indoor arena, offering residents a new way to engage in sports and leisure activities.
