Flyers today bore the brunt of the strike by Air India pilots with some complaining that they were not informed about the status of their flights and some coming to know about the cancelled flights only after reaching the airport.

Air India cancelled 60 flights this morning leaving many flyers stranded.

“Me and my family had to attend a marriage in Srinagar today and we had booked our tickets about a month ago, but now our plans are ruined as Air India has cancelled the flight and they don’t have the courtesy to inform us before hand,” said Mohammed Sahil Sheikh, a businessman.

“We came to know about it only after we reached the airport, even their helpline could not give us correct information about the flight, this is how our national carrier works,” he said.

At the AI counters, passengers were seen enquiring about their flights and collecting the printed copies of their tickets but many had to return empty handed.

Many flyers had either postponed their travelling plans or cancelled their tickets. Some of the passengers were seen trying their luck at the counters of other airlines to get a seat in their flight.

“I had to reach Bangalore for a conference but my flight is cancelled and now they are showing their helplessness in accommodating me in other airlines, saying their seats are already full,” said Mr K. Krishna, a software professional.

“I am trying hard to get a ticket on any other airline but everyone is refusing saying they have no seats vacant,” he said.

Demanding a fixed salary, the removal of Air India CMD and a CBI enquiry into the alleged mismanagement, 800 pilots have gone on strike from Tuesday midnight.

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