DELHI- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) canceled its Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Vietnam to Delhi (DEL) flight on Friday due to operational issues.
The airline’s spokesperson announced the cancellation of flight AI389 scheduled for September 13, 2024. Air India is now arranging alternative transportation for affected passengers to reach Delhi as soon as possible.
Air India Cancels SGN-DEL Flight
Passengers have been offered multiple options to mitigate the inconvenience. They can choose between a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to a different date. Additionally, Air India has provided hotel accommodations for stranded travelers.
Sources reveal that a technical problem with the aircraft initially caused the delay. The prolonged wait then led to the flight crew exceeding their permitted duty hours, ultimately resulting in the cancellation.
The Air India spokesperson expressed regret for the disruption, acknowledging the unexpected nature of the incident and its impact on passengers’ travel plans. The airline remains committed to resolving the situation and ensuring affected customers reach their destination.
Also Read: Air India Cancels Kochi to London Flight Minutes before Departure, Passengers Angry
AI Express Delays Kochi Flights
Air India Express’s (IX) Delhi to Kochi (COK) flight faced a significant delay, leaving passengers stranded at the airport for over 10 hours. The flight, initially set to depart at 8:55 p.m. Friday, only took off 12 hours later on Saturday morning.
This delay severely impacted Malayali passengers returning home for the Onam weekend. Many travelers, eagerly anticipating their holiday celebrations, found themselves unexpectedly confined to the airport terminal. The situation escalated as frustrated passengers, including children and senior individuals, staged a protest at the airport.
Complaints arose regarding Air India’s handling of the situation. Several passengers claimed the airline failed to provide adequate accommodation or food during the extended wait. This lack of support intensified the discomfort and frustration among those affected.
Air India had initially informed passengers of a new 6:00 a.m. departure time on Saturday. However, this deadline passed without the flight taking off, further exacerbating tensions.
Finally, after 12 hrs from its original departure time, the flight took off from Delhi at 9 AM IST and landed at Kochi at 11:58 AM IST Today (September 14, 2024).
Both Air India and AI Express flights were scheduled to or operated by Airbus A320neo.
IndiGo Flight Diverted
In a separate incident, an IndiGo Airlines (6E) flight from Mumbai (BOM) to Phuket (HKT), Thailand was diverted to Penang (PEN), Malaysia on Friday due to severe weather conditions at its intended destination.
Flight 6E1071, operated by an A320neo aircraft, registered as VT-IIV, encountered unfavorable weather in Phuket, prompting the diversion to the nearest available airport.
ndiGo confirmed the diversion in an official statement, citing passenger safety as the primary concern. The airline secured the necessary permissions to resume the journey to Phuket, Thailand. This process took some time due to the unexpected nature of the diversion.
Passengers aboard the flight were fully informed about the situation. IndiGo provided refreshments to ensure passenger comfort during the unplanned layover in Penang. The exact number of passengers affected by this diversion has not been disclosed.
The incident gained attention on social media, with some passengers sharing their experiences online. IndiGo emphasized that despite having no direct connections to Penang, the diversion was a necessary precautionary measure to prioritize passenger safety.
IndiGo aircraft resumed the journey with the flight taking off from Penang at 8:09 AM UTC. After being airborne for 40 minutes, the flight landed safely at its intended destination, Phuket at 8:49 AM UTC.
Well, all these incidents highlight the unpredictable nature of the travel and airline industry. So always make sure to get ready to phase such odd situations as they are common. Don’t panic and try to stay calm in such a situation.
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