Punjab minister complains of Air India flight delays

CHANDIGARH - Punjab Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla Sunday complained to Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel of “mismanagement” of Air India flights from Punjab to other parts of the country and sought his intervention.

“During the last two weeks, Air India flights from Amritsar are delayed due to which the travellers are facing a tough time. Delay of two to six hours means a big loss of time and money of passengers, especially for those who have to take a connecting flight or train to other destinations,” said Chawla here.

“We want the union minister to take up this issue very seriously. There is a possibility of some conspiracy to promote private airlines. When flights of private airlines like Kingfisher or Jet are operating on time, the stranded passengers of Air India are forced to go for other options,” she added.

Chawla noted that she could not attend an important government meeting at Delhi Friday because of the Air India flight delay.

“We wish that our money must go to our own national airline. I have urged the union minister to look into the matter to improve the working of Air India. I have also asked him to provide compensation to the people who have suffered due to the deficient services of the Air India in the past,” she added.