I was booked to travel on Jagson Airlines between Dharamsala and Delhi in December ’06. I arrived at the airport only to be told the flight was cancelled due to “technical issues”. As I later found out, they often cancel flights when not enough passengers are booked to cover costs.

For unfortunate travellers like myself, left stranded at the airport, the Jagson officers operate a profitable scam by booking passengers on other airlines at nearby airports. They arrange with their friend/travel agent to book the tickets and bring them to you, making sure the ticket cost is not quoted on the receipt. They also make arrangements for reaching the connecting flight, but in a way that does not allow for a stop at an internet cafe or phone to verify the ticket price. Naturally, the quoted price is rather inflated. If time is an issue, and with same-day airline bookings it usually is, most travellers have little choice but to walk into the trap.

By the time I arrived in Delhi, it would have been quicker to have taken the 14-hour bus.

Getting a refund is also a nightmare - conveniently, the airline's email address as quoted on their website doesn't work! It took me about 10 phone calls and a couple of faxes before they finally gave in and refunded my money.

If you must book one of these flights, good luck to you! (but personally, I prefer my odds at the casino).