Air India Charter Flight with Team India Lands in Delhi, But DGCA Begins Probes, Here’s Why

DELHI- A controversy erupted over the special Air India (AI) flight AIC24WC that brought the T20 World Cup-winning Team India home from Barbados (BGI). Several passengers from the original flight claimed that Air India did not provide a substitute for the canceled flight.

On Tuesday, July 2, Air India canceled a Delhi (DEL)-bound flight from New York (EWR) to divert it to pick up the Rohit Sharma-led T20 Indian Cricket team from Barbados.

Air India Flight with Team India Lands in Delhi

The special charter flight, call sign AIC24WC – Air India Champions 24 World Cup, took off around 4:50 am local time and landed in New Delhi on Thursday at approximately 7:00 am (IST).

The BCCI shared a video of the players disembarking the chartered plane with the trophy. A large group of fans greeted the team at the airport.

Captain Rohit Sharma emerged from the airport holding the trophy. Virat Kohli received a rousing reception, waving to fans to acknowledge their support.

After an 18-hour journey, the team finally arrived in India, where fans had been waiting in long queues since late night to see their favorite stars. Special arrangements were made for the team’s welcome at both the airport and the team hotel.

Following a special meeting with the PM, the team will fly to Mumbai for a special road show for the fans. This will be starting from Nariman Point to Wankhede Stadium, where the entire team will be honored.

DGCA Seeks Clarification

Several passengers took to social media to dispute Air India’s claim of providing alternative flights. “Air India is lying. I am one of the affected passengers and I was not offered any alternative to travel on partner airlines,” wrote Ankur Verma.

In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requested a report from Air India.

Further, the reports indicate that Air India diverted the aircraft to Barbados, which was originally scheduled for a flight from Newark to Delhi, causing significant inconvenience for passengers.

DGCA rules issued in 2017 state that to operate a non-scheduled international flight, an airline must not disrupt scheduled operations, meaning a spare aircraft should be available.

“For the operation of charter flights by scheduled operators, there shall be no disruption to their scheduled flights,” according to the rules.

An Air India official stated that passengers were not inconvenienced by the deployment of the Boeing 777 to Barbados. Most passengers booked for the Newark (EWR) to Delhi flight on July 2 were informed in advance.

However, some who were not notified turned up at the airport and were taken by road to New York, where they were accommodated on a flight from New York (JFK) to Delhi, the official added.

Air India managed to send a charter flight in coordination with BCCI officials to bring the players home. This was possible after accommodating the Newark to Delhi passengers on another Air India flight, PTI reported.

The Indian cricket team was stranded in Barbados after a Category 4 hurricane hit the Caribbean islands at Bridgetown, delaying their departure home by at least a day.

Feature Image by Sandeep (@atc.spotter)

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