India's national carrier Air India has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this year. From the failed disinvestment to the struggles of unpaid employees, the carrier has had a horrible year, and with no respite in sight.
Several passengers aboard the Newark-Mumbai flight have complained of bed bugs in the Business Class seats over the last week, forcing the airline to take up fumigation of the aircraft. As per officials, multiple flights from the Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey have reported bed bugs in the Business Class seats, but not Economy.
On Monday, Saumya Shetty became the latest to take to social media with the issue, when she posted a picture of her rashes after travelling on AI-144 on July 18 with her three children, including an infant. She also alleged that despite complaints, she was shifted just before landing. Shetty, who is in Mumbai on holiday, is now sporting bites all over her body. Same is the case with her infant child.
"I have written to so many Air India emails, and not received a single phone call," she said. In her formal complaint to Air India, she said that the issue was "a health and safety violation that should have been dealt with immediately." In a series of tweets, she lashed out at the airline for their laziness and inaction.
Traveled business class thinking it would help with three kids. I’m covered with bed bugs bites and it’s been a painful day so far. @airindiain Inspite on complaining I had to sleep in the same seat and only got moved the next day when we werelanding. @timesofindia @indianexpreas
— Saumya Shetty (@saumshetty) July 19, 2018
What an #airindia #businessclass would do to you? AI still has to get in touch with me inspite if my repeated attempts to get in touch with them. @airindiain @NewYorkTimes11 @cnni pic.twitter.com/tDHfmhX0Vx
— Saumya Shetty (@saumshetty) July 20, 2018
Air India responded later on Monday saying that the issue had been escalated and action would be taken. As per officials, AI-144 is now being fumigated.
Earlier, Pravin Tonsekar also posted a tweet to Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu, saying: "Sir, have heard of bed bugs on trains but shocked to experience on our maharaja and that too business," complaining of the menace aboard the AI-144 flight from Newark.
Tonsekar's family was forced to shift to Economy as a result of the infestation, where he alleged his wife and children had to travel on seats with broken tray tables and a non-functional in-flight entertainment screen.
