New Delhi, March 4 (IANS) Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel Tuesday denied charges against private airlines that they did not keep passengers informed about flight delays and cancellations. Speaking in parliament, the minister said domestic airlines generally made requests for a contact phone or mobile number from passengers at the time of booking tickets.

“Passengers of private airlines whose flights were delayed or cancelled are being informed through telephone or SMS,” he said.

Patel said in the past three months, Jet Airways cancelled 224 flights in November, 181 in December and 165 in January 2008. The number of flights cancelled during the same period by SpiceJet was respectively 60, 118 and 55, and of Go Air was 69, 93 and 71.

The minister stated that private airlines offered refreshments to its travellers if their flights were delayed beyond two hours.

Speaking on upcoming airport projects, Patel said approvals have already been accorded “in-principle” for the new airports at Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra, Mopa in Goa and Kannur in Kerala.

Also the proposal for a Greenfield airport at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh is under consideration, he said.