SHANKUMUGHAM: The cancellation of Air India Express flights created emotional scenes at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport yesterday. A man was about to commit suicide because his visa to Muscat was about to expire and his life would be ruined if his journey was interrupted. Pradeep, a native of Channankara, Kadinakulam, prepared to commit suicide in front of the Air India office with petrol. The other passengers calmed him down and prevented his attempt. The incident happened at 8 am yesterday.

If he had not left yesterday with only one day left for his visa, he would not have been able to land in Muscat. The first ticket was taken to go on Wednesday morning. Pradeep arrived at the airport on Wednesday but the flight was canceled so Air India rescheduled the ticket for yesterday. When he arrived yesterday, Pradeep was shocked to know that the flight had been cancelled again. He went outside and threatened to commit suicide with a bottle of petrol in front of the Air India office in front of the terminal. Fellow passengers intervened and contacted the company officials in Muscat on the phone. The company extended the leave for another 10 days after things got settled. Air India authorities issued tickets to leave on the 15th. Pradeep returned relieved that he would not lose his job.