Stranded for 80 Hours! Air India Passengers’ Phuket Nightmare

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Over 100 passengers of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi were stranded for over 80 hours due to repeated technical issues.
The aircraft experienced recurring technical problems, leading to significant delays and eventual cancellation.
Passengers complained about inadequate support and communication from the airline.
Air India apologized for the inconvenience and claimed to have provided hotel accommodation, meals, and alternative flights to some passengers.
The incident raised questions about Air India’s operational readiness and crisis management.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

An Air India flight scheduled from Phuket to New Delhi on the night of November 16th experienced a technical fault, causing a six-hour delay. However, the ordeal escalated significantly. Passengers waited for hours at the airport, eventually boarding the aircraft only to be deboarded an hour later when the flight was abruptly cancelled.

Passengers took to social media to share their harrowing experience. They reported sparse and unsatisfactory updates from airline representatives. Many tagged Air India on X (formerly Twitter), pleading for assistance and answers, but claim they received minimal meaningful responses.

The situation worsened when passengers were informed the same aircraft had been repaired and was ready to operate. The flight took off after a two-day delay, but roughly two-and-a-half hours into the journey, it returned to Phuket due to another technical fault, leaving passengers stranded once again.

One passenger described the ordeal as “mentally and physically exhausting,” while another criticized the airline’s failure to communicate a clear plan. Despite Air India’s assurances of accommodation, some passengers reported confusion and delays in receiving hotel rooms and meals.

This incident raises serious questions about Air India’s operational readiness and crisis management capabilities, especially considering the recurring technical faults with the same aircraft. Passengers are demanding greater accountability from the airline and immediate measures to prevent similar incidents.

Key Takeaways to Remember

Over 100 Air India passengers experienced a significant flight delay in Phuket due to repeated technical issues, resulting in over 80 hours of disruption. This incident highlights concerns about the airline’s crisis management and operational efficiency.