MUMBAI: Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways offloaded passengers or cancelled bookings of scores, largely students, who were to fly to the US cities of New York, Washington and Chicago from Mumbai and Bengaluru on Thursday. The students alleged the airline refused to accommodate them on alternate flights and with semesters slated to begin soon, they have been left with no option but to spend over Rs 2 lakh for a last-minute ticket on other carriers.
"Etihad customer care official said I'll have to wait for 20 days to be rebooked," said a student, requesting anonymity. The sudden cancellations have sparked panic among parents and students booked to fly to the US on Etihad in coming days. On Thursday, the cheapest one-way ticket from Mumbai to the US this week starts at Rs 1.4 lakh, but only for flights over 27 hours long. Most tickets are priced over Rs 2 lakh.
