Venkaiah misses flight, criticises Air India

New Delhi, June 28 (IANS) Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday criticised Air India after missing a flight to Hyderabad though he claimed he reached the airport ahead of the scheduled departure time.

Naidu said he was at the airport at 12.30 p.m. to catch the flight set to depart at 1.15 p.m., only to be told it had been delayed because the pilot had not yet come.

After waiting for half hour, the minister returned home. By the time he came back to the airport, the flight had departed.

"I had to travel to Hyderabad by Air India AI544… was told (it was) on time.. reached airport by 1230," Naidu tweeted.

"Was informed at 1315 that flight was delayed as the pilot had not yet come. Waited up to 1345, boarding didn’t start. Returned home."

Naidu criticised the air carrier for lack of transparency.

"Air India should explain how such things are happening. Transparency and accountability are the need of the hour. Hope Air India understands that we are in the age of competition. Missed an important appointment."