MOHAN H NAIK, MANGALURU

Well, the move to boycott Air India seems to be an emotional rather rational. Gone were those days, when especially every Mangalurean suffered the trauma of long, broken, sleepless air journey aided with airport torture at Mumbai, whole night without sleep, early morning rush to domestic airport, only to take-off by mid day. As Mr. Basheer is speaking about monopoly of Air India at Khozhicode airport, about which I have no information, I have no comments.

As far as Mangalore intl Airport is concerned, I must appreciate Air India still carrying out their promised expansion projects, going ahead with new routes, in spite of shortage of pilots, smaller airport, congested unable to handle large number of commuters. I agree unlike the beginning, Air India fare structure, no more remains that of a budget air line. Mean while, King fisher or Jet Airways, looking at their hefty fare structure and corporate nature, do not convince me that they will carry on board our few hundred dirham earning construction labours, Carpenters, Steel fixers to and fro gulf with a smile on their lips.

A comparison to Europe bound flights is not practical, as those travelers are white collared compared to majority working class in gulf bound flights from many Indian cities with exception to Mangaluru. Of course disparity in fare structure and dignity in service among these two destinations, i.e. Gulf and Europe is definitely not acceptable and must be addressed by Air India. I remember one of my ‘Class conscious’ friend’s ‘’Classical’’ experience with an other reputed international Air Line, that later forced him to accept Air India under the pretext ‘Kucchh bhe ho, aakheer Hindustani hai ’ I feel it’s also the behavioural pattern of passenger that also makes difference, whichever Air line he chooses.

What I feel, there can be healthy competition that can keep Air India more competent and professional, if emirates, ethihad, or air Arabia gathers landing right at Many other indian airports dominated by only air india. Mean while in everybody’s interest, consumer forum and Air India authorities must sit across the table have more transparent, fruitful discussion to sort out the differences. At present, as Mangalureans are not averse with Air India if not very comfortable, owing to its little higher fare and delays, still I do not think they will support such agitations like out right boycotting, as by and large they are gainers.

DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

Jay, Mangalore/switzerland

I think Mr naik has no clue what mr basheer is trying to say instead of focusing on the content of mr basheer s mail mr naik is trying to say what is looks like his personal comments on the service of air india on the whole but it is not an hidden factor that the crew of air india do treat guests who pay an awfull lot of money to travel like dirt in certain sector so may be people do have to think of this situation...

DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

RASHEED, MANGALORE

Basheer, this is excellent work. Instead of talking & wasting time on Cricket and Films, Indians must devote time & energy to do something constructive to their fellowmen to touch their lives. You are on the right road.

DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

MOHAN H NAIK, MANGALURU

Well, the move to boycott Air India seems to be an emotional rather rational. Gone were those days, when especially every Mangalurean suffered the trauma of long, broken, sleepless air journey aided with airport torture at Mumbai, whole night without sleep, early morning rush to domestic airport, only to take-off by mid day. As Mr. Basheer is speaking about monopoly of Air India at Khozhicode airport, about which I have no information, I have no comments.

As far as Mangalore intl Airport is concerned, I must appreciate Air India still carrying out their promised expansion projects, going ahead with new routes, in spite of shortage of pilots, smaller airport, congested unable to handle large number of commuters. I agree unlike the beginning, Air India fare structure, no more remains that of a budget air line. Mean while, King fisher or Jet Airways, looking at their hefty fare structure and corporate nature, do not convince me that they will carry on board our few hundred dirham earning construction labours, Carpenters, Steel fixers to and fro gulf with a smile on their lips.

A comparison to Europe bound flights is not practical, as those travelers are blue collared compared to majority working class in gulf bound flights from many Indian cities with exception to Mangaluru. Of course disparity in fare structure and dignity in service among these two destinations, i.e. Gulf and Europe is definitely not acceptable and must be addressed by Air India. I remember one of my ‘Class conscious’ friend’s ‘’Classical’’ experience with an other reputed international Air Line, that later forced him to accept Air India under the pretext ‘Kucchh bhe ho, aakheer Hindustani hai ’ I feel it’s also the behavioural pattern of passenger that also makes difference, whichever Air line he chooses. What I feel, there can be healthy competition that can keep Air India more competent and professional, if emirates, ethihad, or air Arabia gathers landing right at Many other indian airports dominated by only air india.

Mean while in everybody’s interest, consumer forum and Air India authorities must sit across the table have more transparent, fruitful discussion to sort out the differences. At present, as Mangalureans are not averse with Air India if not very comfortable, owing to its little higher fare and delays, still I do not think they will support such agitations like out right boycotting, as by and large they are gainers.

DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

Wilfred Fernandes, Kinnigoly, Muscat

Atlast some organised platform has formed to start tackling this modern day "British Raj" by Indians to Indians. Thousands of people are discussing this matter over the parties and gathering but without a collective a forum. Mr. Basheer your (our)organisation will have thousands of followers and supporters until we Gulf based Indians come out of this step motherly treatment our so called OUR AIR INDIA.

DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

jerald , belman ksa

it is a good idea for all now time has come air inda has change or turn to privatize it will be good and many young people will get a job and thy serve a better service and non indians too like to choose the air line ,now indian itself dont like to use, unless helpless. keep it up

DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

john, karkala

as i have expressed my views earlier in this column entire air india group i.e air india,express and indian airlines do not deserve to be in business. they are unprofessional, arrogant, unpunctual. they have monopolised the segments which bring them huge profits. there are no alternative for those who travel to kerala ang mangalore. it's high time for the aviation ministry to allow jet, king fisher, ithihaad, air arabia and other professional carriers to operate in this segment. travelling by air india group is humiliating experience.

DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

Ronald, Mangalore

Basheer, this is excellent work. Instead of talking & wasting time on Chricket and Films, Indians must devote time & energy to do something constructive to their fellowmen to touch their lives. You are on the right road.

DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

Alexander P Menezes, Karkala/Dubai

This in my opinion is a good move by the Indian Forum to boycott travelling in Air India. It is true that Airindia treats its European bound passengers with 5 start facilities onboard the Aircraft and treats the India bound passengers with no star service at all. Its high time that Indian Government wake up and priviatise this Airline to keep its wings flying high. I flew once in AirIndia from Mumbai to Dubai, and decided not to fly again on our National Carrier. Perhaps Privatization is the only way which will help this Indian National Carrier to get back to his lost Glory.

DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse