Airlines

Air India Apologizes for San Francisco Flight Delay, Offers Compensation

Air India Alters Mumbai-San Francisco Flight Schedule Without Prior Notice

In response to a significant delay on a recent flight from Delhi to San Francisco, Air India has issued an apology and offered a $350 (Rs 29,203) voucher to the affected passengers.

The flight, originally scheduled to depart around 3:30 pm on Thursday, experienced multiple reschedulings and ultimately took off at 9:55 pm on Friday. The plane landed in San Francisco at 12:45 pm on Saturday, far exceeding the typical 16-hour duration for this route.

According to PTI, passengers also have the option to credit the voucher amount instead of using it for future travel. Air India Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Klaus Goersch addressed the situation in a letter, expressing regret for the extensive delay and the inconvenience caused.

“Please allow me to sincerely apologise, on behalf of Air India, for the extended delay in bringing you to San Francisco, which was caused by several technical delays and other operational constraints,” Goersch wrote in the May 31 letter.

Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also commented on the issue, emphasizing the unacceptability of prolonged delays. “Making passengers wait for hours, whether in a plane or the terminal, is unacceptable. If the flight delay extends beyond a reasonable period, then you must cancel the flight and reschedule to alleviate the passengers’ suffering,” he stated.

Airlines

Air India Express Aircraft Engine Part Falls Outside Delhi Airport; DGCA Orders Probe

Air India Express flight skids off runway while landing at Kochi airport

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an inquiry following reports that metal fragments were discovered at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after an Air India Express flight made an emergency landing on Monday evening.

The emergency landing was prompted by a detected engine fault, but fortunately, the landing was executed safely without any injuries to the passengers.

The situation began when crew members of the Air India Express flight reported an engine issue, leading to the emergency landing. The DGCA has confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway and has directed that the aircraft undergo a comprehensive safety inspection.

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The discovery of metal debris outside the airport has raised concerns, prompting the DGCA to probe whether these fragments are linked to the aircraft involved in the emergency landing. Authorities are particularly focused on whether the metal pieces, which were found near the airport, originated from the same Air India Express flight that experienced engine trouble.

While preliminary assessments suggest that the debris could be a broken blade from an aircraft engine, the exact source remains unconfirmed. The airline has yet to verify if the metal fragments are from their aircraft.

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The Delhi Police, working in conjunction with the DGCA, have initiated their own investigation to determine the origin of the metal pieces. A technical team is set to analyze whether the fragments are associated with the aircraft in question. As the investigation continues, a case has been filed with the airport authority to address the matter.