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China's representative said after talks with Phuket's governor that everyone involved needed to work together to ensure there was no repetition.
Original Report
PHUKET: Urgent talks were underway on Phuket today after China's central tourism authority issued a warning about Bangkok-based budget airline Jet Asia Airways.
Ms Wang Huijuan, Deputy Consul General and Director of the Phuket Consular Office of the Consul General, met with Phuket Governor, Nisit Jansomwong, and representatives from the Labor Office and Tourism and Sport.
On September 25, 235 passengers were stranded on Phuket on their way back to the northern Chinese city of Shenyang.
The Jet Asia Airways flight eventually took to the air 31 hours later while mechanical equipment was ferried from Bangkok to make repairs.
Phuket officials say a letter from the Chinese Ambassador to the Tourism and Sport Ministry that speaks of repetitive delays does not mention that passengers were accommodated at the expense of Jet Asia Airways.
Copies of the letter also went to other ministries.
The letter also complains that Jet Asia staff on the ground ''spoke impolitely'' to the passengers.
The ambassador made the point that many tourists came from China and expected proper treatment.
A spokesperson for Tourism and Sport said today that the department responded as fast as possible to the crisis but the CEO of Jet Air left the airport staff to handle the situation.
Any complaints should be directed at the company not at responsive officials on Phuket, the spokesperson said.
Talks were continuing today.
I thought with budget/charter airlines did not have to pay for delays cancellations only scheduled airlines are liable hence part of the reason for the higher fares. Is this a case of you get what you pay for, no thrills and when people pay little they expect the same service level as when they pay for a full scheduled airfare? Ed, please advise?
Posted by Feisty Farang on October 13, 2014 12:21