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Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sarod damaged on flight, musicians report mishandling woes
1 2 3 4 5 6 Kolkata: Sarod player and composer Arnab Bhattacharya found the oversized bag carrying his sarod broken and the instrument damaged when he reached Abu Dhabi. He travelled from Kolkata to Mumbai and then boarded the flight to Abu Dhabi. The airline, Akasa, expressed regret at the damage and agreed to compensate for the repair costs. The musician has urged the airline to ensure safe carriage of musical instruments in future. "I travelled from Kolkata to Abu Dhabi by Akasa Airlines en route to Tel Aviv where I will perform in four concerts organised by the Indian embassy from Monday to Thursday. When I reached Abu Dhabi on Sunday and got my instrument from the oversized baggage counter, I found the box broken. Inside, the instrument was unlocked and strings were open. There was a crack on the backside of the sarod. The thumba had been unscrewed and was loose," Bhattacharya, a senior disciple of Pt Buddhadev Dasgupta from Senia Shah Jahanpur Gharana, posted on his Facebook account on Sunday. The sarod player, who has performed in over 2,000 concerts since 1997, said the sarod was his identity and that a damage to the instrument was as painful as hurting a limb. "I am representing India in Israel and am stranded with an instrument that is damaged. On Monday morning, I tried to fix it with a screwdriver during the sound check but this should not happen to any musician in future," he told TOI. Bhattacharya urged all musicians to read the fineprint before signing the limited release tag (LRT) that is attached to musical instruments and other non-standard fragile items of luggage that are checked in. The airline clarified that the instrument was checked in under a Limited Release Tag (LRT) which indicates that the item was accepted with certain pre-existing conditions and that the airline assumes limited liability. "Despite the LRT declaration, as a gesture of goodwill Akasa Air has offered compensation for a new case and repairs to the instrument and our customer care team is in touch with the passenger to facilitate it. The matter has been amicably resolved with the customer who has been appreciative of the airline's efforts and swift action," the airline spokesperson said. "At Akasa Air, we deeply value the trust placed in us by our passengers, including members of India's vibrant music community. We remain committed to enabling seamless travel experiences for musicians, as demonstrated by our waiver of all handling charges related to the carriage of musical instruments across our network since October 2023. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused and remain committed to continuously enhancing our service experience," she added. Several Indian musicians including sarod players Ustad Amjad Ali Khand, Ustad Aashish Khan and Amaan Ali Bangash and sitar exponent Shubhendra Rao who reported damages to their instruments during transit. It has even prompted allegations that airlines did not care about musical instruments in the same way they did while handling sports kits, even an amateur golfer's golf kit. Amaan Ali Bangash, who reported damage to his sarod twice had remarked: "This has been happening frequently. We don't hear of luggage bags being mishandled as much as we do about musical instruments. So many musicians have faced this, and it is so frustrating that airlines do not have any respect for musical instruments."
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Akasa Airlines asks sisters aged 17 and 9 to pay Rs 5,000 in cash, denies boarding until payment is made
A Kolkata-to-Ahmedabad flight turned distressing for two sisters, Mahira (9) and Manyata (17), when Akasa Airlines allegedly demanded ₹5,000 in cash at the check-in counter for the younger child's 'unaccompanied minor' fee. The airline staff refused to accept digital payment and said that 17-year-old Manyata could not be considered an adult to accompany her younger sister. The two were traveling to Ahmedabad to reunite with their mother, a TOI report stated. The airline insisted the payment be made in cash, stating the counter was closed and a QR code could not be generated for UPI. The girls, along with their cousins who were flying on a separate airline, finally managed to pool in funds to pay the amount and were allowed to board. The incident raised questions about the enforcement of unaccompanied minor policies, lack of clarity at the time of booking, and handling by airline staff. Airline did not accept UPI, said 17-year-old not an adult Mahira and Manyata were booked on Akasa flight QP 1926 to Ahmedabad. At the Kolkata airport, the ground staff told them that Mahira needed to pay ₹5,000 as an unaccompanied minor. Though their 17-year-old sister was with her, the airline refused to treat her as a legal adult. According to the girls' family, cousins aged 21—who were checking in on another airline—offered to pay via UPI. However, airline staff declined, saying cash was the only option as 'the counter was closed and no QR code could be generated.' 'They were simply told to pay or miss the flight,' said their mother, Shalini Dugar. 'There was no explanation, no breakdown of charges, and no receipt till the time my elder daughter insisted.' Live Events No prior fee notice during booking or earlier travel The girls were returning from a family vacation in Nepal and had taken a train from Siliguri to Kolkata. They had stayed overnight at their grandmother's house before heading to the airport. The family stated that during the earlier leg of their trip, from Ahmedabad to Bagdogra on April 26, no such fee had been imposed. 'At the time of booking, we were never told about the unaccompanied minor fee . In fact, kids above 12 years are shown as adults on the booking page,' said Pearl Choradia, the girls' aunt. 'When the kids said they didn't have cash, they were denied a boarding pass. The cousins, who had completed check-in, offered UPI, but the airline refused.' The children eventually collected the amount and paid in cash, after which Mahira was issued a boarding pass. Family alleges lack of documentation and verification Under Indian airline rules, children aged 5–12 traveling alone may be charged an unaccompanied minor fee. A form must be filled at the time of check-in, naming the adult who will receive the child at the destination. However, in this case, the family alleged that no form was provided and no ID verification was done at the Ahmedabad airport. 'We have no problem in paying the fee if it's legitimate and announced in advance at the time of booking. But we demand an explanation, apology, refund, and disciplinary action against the staff who caused emotional distress and trauma to my daughters,' said Shalini, who lost her husband a year and a half ago. Airline response awaited The family said the children had decided to travel without their mother due to personal circumstances. 'It was a decision born out of necessity and resilience. However, the traumatic experience they faced has left them deeply shaken,' said Choradia. As per the TOI report, Akasa Airlines has not yet responded to queries sent till Friday evening. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Fork out 5,000 or miss flight, airline tells 9-year-old, 17-year-old sisters
1 2 Kolkata: A Kolkata-Ahmedabad flight turned into a nightmare for two sisters, Mahira (9) and Manyata (17), after airline ground staff asked them to pay Rs 5,000 in cash for the 'unaccompanied minor fees' for the nine-year-old girl or risk missing the flight. The airline claimed the 17-year-old couldn't qualify as an adult as she was yet to be 18. They were scheduled to board Akasa Airlines flight QP 1926 to Ahmedabad, where their mother awaited them. However, the journey took a traumatic turn at the airline's check-in counter. There were two cousins of the young girls who were flying on a separate airline but were checking in around the same time and had offered to pay the money through UPI. However, the airline staff demanded the money in cash, claiming the counter was closed and that no QR code could be generated. The kids finally managed to pool in funds and pay up, after which they were allowed to board. In India, some airlines charge an 'unaccompanied minor fee' for children aged between five and 12 years on the date of travel for certain assistance services from the airline crew. A parent or guardian is required to complete a signed 'unaccompanied minor form' at the point of check-in. The form must include the name and contact numbers of the parent or guardian (above the age of 18) who will meet the unaccompanied minor at the point of arrival. In this case, the family said no documentation or written policy was provided to support this claim. At the Ahmedabad airport, there was reportedly no ID verification of the receiving parent, further contradicting the rationale for the fee, the family alleged. TOI reached out to Akasa, who was yet to send a response till late on Friday. "They were simply told to pay or miss the flight," said the girls' mother, Shalini Dugar. "There was no explanation, no breakdown of charges, and no receipt till the time my elder daughter insisted." According to the family, the two, along with their cousins—both aged 21—were returning from a vacation in Nepal. They came to Kolkata by train and stayed at their grandmother's place for a night. They were to board the flight back home to Ahmedabad on Wednesday, where Shalini was supposed to pick them up. "At the time of booking, we were never told about the unaccompanied minor fee. In fact, kids above 12 years are shown as adults on the booking page. They previously flew to Bagdogra from Ahmedabad with the same airline on April 26, where no fee was sought. When the kids told them they didn't have additional money, they refused to issue a boarding pass. The cousins, who had finished check-in, intervened and attempted to resolve the issue by offering UPI payment. But the airline refused, claiming a QR code couldn't be generated," said Pearl Choradia, the girls' aunt. Under duress, the kids finally paid the money by pooling in funds, after which a boarding pass was issued for Mahira. "We have no problem in paying the fee if it's legitimate and announced in advance at the time of booking. But we demand an explanation, apology, refund, and disciplinary action against the staff who caused emotional distress and trauma to my daughters," said Shalini, who lost her husband a year and a half ago. Family members said because of the family circumstances, the children gathered the courage to travel without their mother. "It was a decision born out of necessity and resilience. However, the traumatic experience they faced has left them deeply shaken," Choradia added. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
NDTV
10-05-2025
- NDTV
Air India Suspends Tel Aviv Flights Until May 25
New Delhi: Air India has announced that all flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended until May 25, 2025, amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. #TravelAdvisory Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended till 25th May 2025. Customers holding valid tickets for travel till 25th May 2025 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund for cancellations. For more information, please… — Air India (@airindia) May 9, 2025 In a travel advisory posted on X (formerly Twitter), Air India stated, "Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended till 25th May 2025. Customers holding valid tickets for travel till 25th May 2025 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund for cancellations." IndiGo also issued a travel advisory, announcing the cancellation of all flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, and Rajkot until midnight on May 10, 2025. The advisory, posted on IndiGo's official X handle, assured passengers that the airline would provide updates through official channels and assist with any changes to travel plans. Mumbai International Airport issued a passenger advisory stating that it remains operational but warns of longer wait times due to enhanced security protocols. Passengers were advised to arrive early, cooperate with security personnel, and follow official channels for accurate information. "Passengers are encouraged to cooperate with security and airport personnel, follow Ahmedabad Airport's social media channels for accurate and timely information, and reach out to their airline for precise details," the advisory read. Akasa Airlines and SpiceJet also issued similar advisories on X, urging passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure due to increased security measures. "Due to enhanced security measures at all airports across India, we request you to reach the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure," Akasa Airlines stated. These developments come amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, with reports of firing by the Pakistan army across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri, Kupwara, Tangdhar, and Karnah sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, violating the ceasefire. Tensions escalated between India and Pakistan after the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of Wednesday (May 7th), targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). This operation was a retaliatory response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including one Nepali national. Operation Sindoor is one of the deepest strikes carried out by India inside Pakistan's undisputed territory since 1971, successfully targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This marks New Delhi's most significant military action within Pakistani territory in over five decades.
Times of Oman
09-05-2025
- Times of Oman
IndiGo cancels flights to multiple cities till May 10
New Delhi: Amid the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, IndiGo has announced that all flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, and Rajkot have been cancelled until midnight on 10 May 2025. IndiGo assured passengers that it will provide updates through official channels and is available to assist with changes to travel plans. The update was posted on IndiGo's official X handle. Meanwhile, Mumbai International Airport has issued a passenger advisory in light of the ongoing situation in the country. The airport remains operational; however, due to enhanced security protocols, passengers may experience longer wait times. The airport recommends that passengers plan their travel to the airport and arrive early to accommodate for extra time required for security checks. Passengers are encouraged to cooperate with security and airport personnel, follow Ahmedabad Airport's social media channels for accurate and timely information, and reach out to their airline for precise details. They are advised not to share unverified information. At Mumbai International Airport, the safety and convenience of passengers is the top-most priority. Several airlines have issued advisories urging passengers to reach the airports three hours before flights depart. Taking to social media X, Akasa Airlines in a post wrote "Travel Update: Due to enhanced security measures at all airports across India, we request you to reach the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure, to ensure a seamless check-in and boarding experience. Please ensure you carry valid government-approved photo identification documents for entry to the airport. In addition to your check-in baggage, only 1 handbag weighing upto 7 kgs will be permitted. As per regulatory guidelines, all passengers will be required to undergo secondary security checks prior to boarding. To save time, we encourage you to check in online on or our mobile app. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding and look forward to welcoming you aboard the Akasa experience." Spicejet also issued an advisory on the same grounds. "TravelUpdate: In light of enhanced security measures across all airports, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure to ensure a smooth check-in and boarding process," the post on X read.
