If there is a “How not to run an airline guide”, it seems that Comtel Airlines seem to fit the bill right now.
Comtel Airlines started up a route between Birmingham Airport and Amritsar in India and commenced the route a few weeks ago using wet-leased 757’s by Mint Lineas Aeras.
But it seems travel agents didn’t pass all the money onto the airline, as when they landed in Vienna on Tuesday, passengers were asked to pay an extra €150 to continue home.
The majority shareholder of Comtel -Bhupinder Kandra – says money paid to travel agents had not been passed on to the airline.
Comtel Airlines is currently in a grounded state, with the following cancellations showing:
Friday: COE732 Birmingham-Amritsar DEPART 16:15 Saturday: COE702C Amritsar-Birmingham DEPART 04:30 Saturday: COE732 Birmingham-Amritsar DEPART 18:15 Sunday: COE702C Amritsar- Birmingham DEPART 05:30 All times local.
Passengers on Comtel are advised to contact their travel agents.
Passengers booked as part of a travel package via ATOL should be covered to get home or their packages covered. Passengers who booked flight only… are on their own.
A spokesman for the airport added: “Clearly, we are very concerned about this situation and understand the distress that this is causing those passengers directly involved and their loved ones.
Again, it seems that cashflow – and the lack of it flowing from the agents, down to the airline, and finally to the wet-lessor seems to be at the heart of the issue.
Mint state:
“Due to unresolved financial questions, it was decided by Mint Lineas Aereas as operating carrier to stop operations for Comtel Air.”
Bhunpinder Kandra of Comtel adds:
“I have heard what happened, it shouldn’t have happened, and I will investigate why it happened.
“The people who had to pay the money will receive a refund.”
It’s got to the stage where the British High Commission has been involved, assisting passengers in distress. The British High Commission also states it is not aware of any currently stranded passengers.
So what’s the lesson here? Cashflow. And this is a minnow of an airline which basically had no cash flowing to it, so it could pay it’s suppliers. The fact that the handling of the situation in Vienna is really sickening and uncalled for by the lessor (who could had grounded their aircraft upon arrival at Birmingham).
No dobut there will be further reprecussions along the way.