Go First bankruptcy: Ticket prices zoom; several flyers stuck

Ranchi: The nationwide cancellation of Go First flights for two days from Wednesday after the airline company filed for bankruptcy has left many fliers stranded in Jharkhand. While ticket prices of other airlines went up considerably as people scrambled for last-minute bookings, some passengers were forced to alter their travel plans.
From Ranchi, the airline operated four flights — two to Delhi and one each to Bangalore and Mumbai daily.
Aditya Tiwary, who had to travel Delhi, said, “I booked my ticket to attend an important meeting but the sudden cancellation had left me in the lurch. I was compelled to purchase a ticket from another airline at a much higher price due to last-minute change in plans as I couldn’t miss the meeting today.”
While the airline company had announced to refund passengers owing to cancellation, for many, who had prior travel schedules, felt helpless. Another flier, who didn’t wish to be named, said, “I was scheduled to go to Bangalore today for a family function but had to drop it last evening after learning about the news. I couldn’t afford to buy another ticket at the last minute owing to whopping prices which were more than double of what I paid earlier.”
Director of Birsa Munda International Airport, K L Aggarwal, conceded about inconvenience caused to the passengers, said, “Due to the two-day cancellation of Go First flights, the burden on all airlines has increased, resulting in a price increase of tickets from Ranchi to Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai. A ticket now costs anything from Rs 7,500 to Rs 10,000, and tickets from Ranchi to Delhi begin at Rs 9,000 now.”