Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 22 (IANS): Kerala Minister for Non-Resident Keralite Affairs, K.C. Joseph Saturday went hammer and tongs against "the callous attitude" of Air India in regularly cancelling its flights to the Middle East.

"We have made numerous representations to all concerned to end this callous attitude towards Kerala, but there seems to be no respite," Joseph told reporters here.

"We have already expressed our displeasure and will take up this issue with the central government," said Joseph.

It was chaos at the international airport here Saturday morning following the cancellation of the Sharjah flight, that was scheduled to depart at 8.45 a.m.

Though Air India officials say they had intimated the passengers Friday night, the passengers complained about not being informed.

Air India officials have made arrangements for 40 passengers to board the evening flight to Sharjah.

K.V. Muraleedharan, president of the Kerala Association of Travel Agents said: "It's most unfortunate that while the cancellations is only from Kerala, no flights have been cancelled from Delhi or Mumbai."

The Kerala cabinet had submitted a memorandum in this regard to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to inaugurate the 'Emerging Kerala' investors meet at Kochi earlier this month.