After tickets for phase five India-Australia flights sold out in minutes on Wednesday, many outraged customers had alleged that travel agents bought most of the tickets.
Highlights:
- Air India says it will publish fares on its website.
- Many people have alleged that travel agents are manipulating the system.
- Thousands of people are stuck in India due to border closure.
The concerns were raised on Twitter and other social media platforms with angry customers forcing the airline to release a statement.
“Over the past few days, Air India has received many complaints through social media and other channels about fares being overcharged by certain Travel Agents from distressed passengers,” it said in a statement.
Radha Krishnan, a permanent Australia resident, stuck in India since March failed to book tickets for himself and his wife.
He told SBS Hindi, “As soon we logged in to the app trying to book our tickets, it said ‘sold out’.”
Radha Krishnan is stuck in India since March. Source: Supplied
“What we suspect is that Air India agents are trying to book the tickets and then they are trying to increase the fare.”
“I wasn’t able to book the tickets. Only (got) a frozen screen and then server timed out message,” said Priya Nair, another person stuck in India.
Air India says it takes such matters seriously and behaviours causing inconvenience to passengers are of great concern to it.
Therefore the airline has decided to publish the fares on its website.
Agents are advised not to resort to such malpractice of overcharging of fares.
The airline would investigate the complaints against the travel agents.
It said, “In case a complaint is found to be true on scrutiny, Air India will immediately terminate the Ticketing Authority of other erring agents.
“Travel agents shall also be responsible for tickets sold by their sub-agents.”
Air India has also clarified that the ‘Sold Out’ message appears due to ‘technical challenges’.
Tickets for Air India repatriation flights sold out within minutes Source: Twitter/ Air India
It said, “We understand that while making booking for flights under #VBM Phase 5, the flight availability sometimes shows ‘SOLD OUT’.
“The system is dynamic & this issue, at times is due to technical challenges on account of the very high number of hits.”
More than 8,000 people had travelled from different cities in India to Australia since March when both the countries announced border closure due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
However, thousands are still stranded and desperate to return to their homes.
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