At IGI, a long wait to head back home

As operations to European countries resumed after being disrupted for almost a week due to volcanic ash, all that the tourists at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport wanted was to “go home”.

With the Capital counting days before it hosts the Commonwealth Games, most tourists stranded at the IGI, irked with poor facilities and assistance offered by the airlines and airport staff, were unsure of revisiting India.

Tomazo (20), a chef in Italy, waited endlessly with his friend Leno (20), to board the next flight after a month and a half of travel.

“We visited Agra, Hardwar, Mumbai and Pune. That was fun but the last few days have been frustrating. I am going to rethink if I want to revisit India,” Tomazo said. “We are stranded at the airport since Monday. Our air tickets were cancelled twice. We spend the entire day at the airport and go to a hotel in the night to sleep.”

Tomazo said when they approached the Airport Authority of India for help, they were asked to move out of the premises.

“When we have any such situation back home, the airport authority provides free food vouchers. Here, the authorities asked us to go to a hotel. We understand their situation but we expect them to be at least polite. They should not behave like this with tourists,” added Leno, a social worker.

Other passengers also seemed to be braving the situation. Maira Benicio (28), who lives in Spain, was stranded at the airport for the last six days. “I wanted to use the internet to find out status of the flight but the internet and banking facilities are inside the airport. Without a valid ticket nobody can enter the waiting lounge and access these facilities,” she rued.

Maira, a BPO executive, was here with her boyfriend Fernando (30).

“One of our friends from Chile, who left last night, told us they were asked to pay Rs 30 to charge their mobile phone at the visitors lounge by certain persons near the counter. We have to even pay for drinking water here,” Fernando claimed.

Teresa Ma, a dentist from Canada, was among many passengers who were disappointed with the functioning of airlines. “I had booked a ticket with Jet Airways for April 20. They did not inform me about the cancellations. I have called them many times for my ticket status but was only provided inaccurate information. I have now booked a new ticket for tonight with Cathay Pacific,” she said.

Maira added, “Despite knowing our situation, the Gulf Air officials did not treat us with compassion. As far as revisiting India is concerned, I am not planning to come again for at least a few years. I just want to go back home.”

DIAL offers help
In a statement, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has said it has advised airlines to guide stranded passengers to avail food on subsidised rates at the staff canteen located at the ground floor of the airport. Free drinking water is also available at this location, it added. DIAL has also set up a special help desk near Gate no 2 to inform and guide passengers, the statement read.