Air India Flight Delay Sparks Passenger Outrage as Flyers Face 10-Hour Wait.
Air India Express flight IX-1150, bound for Delhi from Pune’s city airport, faced significant delays that left nearly 100 passengers stranded for over 10 hours. The incident unfolded on Tuesday, as passengers were initially informed that the flight, originally scheduled to depart at 12:30 AM, would not take off until 6:40 AM. The extended delay, compounded by a series of communication breakdowns, led to mounting frustration and anger among passengers.
The ordeal began when passengers arrived at the airport between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, expecting a timely departure. However, confusion soon set in as passengers heading to Lucknow were also informed of a delay. As the hours ticked by, passengers were left waiting in the terminal with no clear updates, until they were told that their flight would be delayed until 3:00 AM. To add to the frustration, passengers were later informed of a further delay due to a “technical problem” with the aircraft.One passenger, who missed his connecting flight to Thailand, shared his frustration with the media. “We had completed check-in and reached the boarding gate, only to be told that our flight would not take off until 3:00 AM. When the delay was extended, I had no choice but to spend Rs 20,000 on a new ticket,” he said. Despite passengers demanding an alternative flight or compensation, ground staff dismissed these requests, offering little in the way of assistance.
While some refreshments were served during the wait, the food provided was cold, adding to the dissatisfaction. A passenger described the situation as chaotic by 5:00 AM, with angry flyers demanding answers. “The airline staff kept stalling, saying the plane would arrive at any moment. When we finally boarded the aircraft at 5:40 AM, we were made to sit for another hour without any clear explanation,” the passenger said.
It was later revealed that the flight, which was originally meant to travel directly to Delhi, had apparently been diverted to Lucknow, causing additional delays. Cabin crew cited “inspection procedures” as the reason for the hour-long wait inside the aircraft. Passengers, already frustrated by the extended delays, were left questioning the airline’s lack of communication and transparency.
The flight finally took off at 6:40 AM, over six hours later than scheduled. The aircraft landed in Delhi at 8:45 AM, leaving passengers who had boarded the flight expecting to reach their destination by 2:35 AM, with a wait that stretched to over 10 hours. Many passengers expressed their anger over the airline’s handling of the situation, highlighting the need for better communication and passenger support during delays of this magnitude.
