BUDGET AIR TRAVEL WAITING IN HAT YAI

Passengers stranded at airport

HAT YAI: -- Over 100 passengers of One-Two-Go, the low-fare carrier of Orient Airlines, were left stranded at Hat Yai domestic airport for hours by repeated flight delays and eventual cancellation.

Flight OX-284 from Hat Yai to Bangkok, due to depart at 1.05pm, was postponed twice _ to 4.30pm and then 9pm. It was finally cancelled.

The delay left 115 unhappy passengers waiting around the airport much of the day, unsure if they would fly or not. Many shifted to other airlines.

Sombun Laothong, mayor of Khao Chaison in Phatthalung province and one of the passengers, said the airline had not given a clear explanation. Even after two postponements, there was still no guarantee the flight would ever take off.

He called on the minister in charge to investigate the delays. The airline must take responsibility, he said.

Juthamas Chuenjitsiri, 34, an employee at a private firm, said passengers wasted their time sitting around waiting for information.

The airline initially refused to issue refunds, but later agreed following heated complaints. However, the refund was only 1,550 baht of the 1,667 baht each passenger had paid.

Sureeporn Ngarmprom, chief of the One-Two-Go airline's Hat Yai branch, apologised for the delay. She had to borrow more than 100,000 baht from a friend to give passengers refunds as the branch did not enough money on hand.

Sources said passengers switched to Nok Air, Thai Airways International and Thai AirAsia after receiving their refunds.

Udom Tantiprasongchai, CEO of One-Two-Go, said a technical problem delayed the flight. The airline had followed regulations by finding other flights to serve passengers, giving them refunds and coupons for meals.

Chaisak Angsuwan, director-general of the Aviation Department, said the department would call a meeting with operators of low-cost airlines about flight delays. He urged passengers to lodge written complains with the department.

--Bangkok Post 2005-08-01

That delay was not as bad as border in Poipet yesterday, they have such VIP services was cancelled by Mr T, so all the Alien have to wait for 3 hours to get our passport stamp.

Just imagine 80 farangs with 1 counter service plus heavy rain. It was nightmare for tourist to come here to spend money. Who should we complaint?

Please inform TAT that don't used the word Alien in the sign board it's humilation to called tourist as Alien passport counter.

That delay was not as bad as border in Poipet yesterday, they have such VIP services was cancelled by Mr T, so all the Alien have to wait for 3 hours to get our passport stamp.

Just imagine 80 farangs with 1 counter service plus heavy rain. It was nightmare for tourist to come here to spend money. Who should we complaint?

Please inform TAT that don't used the word Alien in the sign board it's humilation to called tourist as Alien passport counter.

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The alien coupled with the workd "Illegal" I would find humilating, otherwise, if I am alien to that country.... if the shoe fits wear it.

Are they going to change the airline name?

One Two Stay??

Edited August 2, 200520 yr by astral

Are they going to change the airline name?

One Two Stay??  

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One Two NoGo ?