APRIL- The Month of The Ash Cloud Crisis

Volcano Eyjafjallajokull's eruption caused widespread air traffic disruption Photo: EPA

The travel trade can finally breathe a sigh of relief for we are past the ash cloud crisis… well somewhat. All over the world travellers suffered especially the ones who were flying to or from Europe. Travellers crowding airport terminals was a scene common to several airports and everyone fell a victim to nature’s unexpected mood swing. No one knew who to blame, travellers wanted to blame someone, so did travel agents and tour operators, the airlines too wanted someone to take responsibility. People questioned airlines’ policies since some received refunds some not even sympathy. This was just a reminder on how we aren’t prepared for everything and why sometimes sometimes such irksome disruptions lead to unexpected holiday extensions.

Of course there are those optimists in every situation who take everything that comes whether good or bad turn it into something, well lets just put it simply – fun.

While airlines dint know what to do, travellers turned to their travel agents for help. This meant the travel agents’ worst nightmare coming true, no scratch that you can expect things like that, this was way out of the blue. But agents decided to ease the situation, doing all they can, working 24x7 to help out the stranded flyers. And so did we. The weather being extremely favourable to travel in the subcontinent, there were a lot of people touring and because of the delay in flights being presumed a great many of them experienced the crisis. But with a lot of back breaking efforts COMPASS ensured that all its travellers were taken care of, accommodation arranged, any tour extension if required was provided, daily conta ct with local offices etc. Just why we had several smiling faces when they were finally taken to the airport for their flight back home.

One such traveller was Lorraine, from England, touring India with 5 of her friends, who had a marvellous time in the midst of the ash cloud crisis. Her mail to the representative who handled her tour reads:

Hi

we had a great holiday, thank you and will give all feedback later on return to england . Currently we are stranded in Mumbai as i guess you know as no flights, Air india were not much help as such a unique situation, have found a hotel in juhu district ….

.. but we re all trying to make the best of it despite lack of pool and the lovely accomodation we have had!

many thanks

Lorraine