Air India — overbooking of ai506 on 15.12.2018

Address:	New Delhi, Delhi
Website:	www.airindia.in

Date of incident : 15.12.2018

I am working as a scientist ‘g’ (Equivalent to joint secretary of govt. Of india) at gas turbine research establishment (Gtre) under defence research & development organisation (Drdo), ministry of defence and at present have been posted at bengaluru.

2. I was deputed on official duty to new delhi on 11th december 2018 and my return was booked for 15th december 2018 vide e-ticket no.[protected] for flight no. Ai-506 to bengaluru, through official agent m/s balmer lawrie & co. Limited, bengaluru. The scheduled departure of the flight ai-506 is 09.45 hrs.

3. On 15th december 2018, i reached delhi airport (Terminal-3) at 0800 hrs and attempted to do check-in through kiosk machine available at the airport, which i could not carry out. I reached at the booking counter at 0825 hrs, as the queue was longer for counter check-in facilities. The executive ms. Simran kaur could not complete the formalities, as it was shown as “standby” mode. After attempting for 5-7 minutes, i was referred to the terminal manager (Ms rinku, if i recall the name correctly). She informed me that there was no seat available in economy class for ai-506 to bengaluru.

4. At that point, i explained the following to her:
I. I am a govt. Official in ministry of defence and i have official commitments after reaching bengaluru
Ii. I am also a frequent flyer of air india (Ff no. Ai[protected] for almost 10 years
Iii. After reaching bengaluru, i need to proceed to mysuru for personal commitments on the same day
Iv. Moreover, i did not receive any sms or phone call from air india on non-availability of seats in economy class
V. I requested for upgrading to business class, if seat is available.

5. In response, she replied very rudely, stating that there would not be any possibility, other than issuing the boarding pass for next flight at 1330 hrs (Ai-502), which initially, i did not agree and hence, stating my official and personal commitments, i pleaded again. But she did not heed to my pleading, neither had she offered any alternative flight other than ai-502 with scheduled departure from delhi at 13.30 hrs.

6. I had no other option, other than accepting the boarding pass. Accordingly, she issued a boarding pass for ai-502 and this flight departed delhi only at 14.15 hrs on 15th december 2018 and landed bengaluru at 16.45 hrs, instead of reaching bengaluru at 12.30 hrs by ai-506.

7. As a result, i could neither attend the office on 15th december 2018 nor could travel to mysuru.in other words, my commitments for full day could not be fulfilled.

8. It is, therefore, requested to take up this matter ‘on priority’ and do the needful for necessary administrative action with an information to me.