Air India flight delayed over 30 hours, passengers faint amidst severe heatwave
PTC Web Desk: The Delhi-San Francisco Air India flight, initially scheduled to depart on Thursday, May 30, faced a delay of more than 30 hours, finally leaving the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday evening. Over 200 passengers endured significant inconvenience during a severe heatwave, with many expressing their frustration on social media.
Reports indicated that the Air India flight, after beginning boarding on Friday evening, returned from the runway. Due to operational issues, the flight, originally set for Thursday at 3:30 pm, departed at 9:55 pm on Friday after multiple reschedules, according to a news agency-0-.
Given the night landing restrictions in San Francisco, Air India officials sought the necessary permissions for the flight’s arrival. The journey duration is approximately 16 hours, meaning it would arrive at night in San Francisco.
As per India Today, Air India sources were reported as saying that the delays were due to a required crew change. Passengers were offered full refunds and hotel accommodations. During the initial delay, some passengers fainted inside the aircraft, which lacked air conditioning. Eventually, all passengers were deboarded and waited outside, as shown in visuals of fliers fanning themselves and pleading to be let out due to the extreme heat. Boarding resumed at 5 pm on Friday, but the plane returned from the runway.
This incident follows a similar delay the previous week, where a Mumbai to San Francisco flight was delayed by six hours, leaving passengers inside a poorly air-conditioned cabin. In response to these recurring delays, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show-cause notice to Air India, citing the discomfort caused to passengers. The DGCA’s letter referenced the delays of flight AI 183 from Delhi to San Francisco and flight AI 179 from Mumbai to San Francisco within the same week.
Air India has not released an official statement regarding the delay.