NEW DELHI: What was initially planned to be a straightforward five-hour flight from Phuket to Delhi has spiraled into an unforeseen four-day ordeal for numerous passengers aboard an Air India flight. Their miseries began on November 16, when Flight AI 377 was scheduled to depart at 5:50 PM local time with a total of 142 passengers on board. However, the Airbus A320 (VT-EDD) was unable to depart due to a combination of technical difficulties and crew flight duty time limitations, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The following day, after much anticipation, the aircraft finally took to the skies at 8:44 PM. Unfortunately, it only managed to stay airborne for 3.5 hours before returning to the very same Thai beach city it had hoped to leave behind, following yet another mechanical issue.
Presently, Air India officials indicate that the airline is making arrangements to return roughly 30 to 35 passengers who remain stranded in Phuket. Should all go as planned, these travelers will finally reach Delhi a full four days later than their original flight schedule.
“Upon cancellation of the November 16 flight, the airline took measures to ensure passengers had a place to stay, providing hotel accommodations in Phuket during the unexpected delay. The majority of the 142 individuals slated to fly on AI 377 have opted to cancel their tickets and pursue alternative travel arrangements to return to Delhi. Currently, approximately 30 to 35 passengers continue to be in Phuket, with efforts underway to facilitate their return on Wednesday,” noted sources from Air India.
In an official statement, Air India expressed its genuine regret over the inconvenience faced by passengers of Flight AI-377, which was forced to cancel due to a technical issue. “While our ground staff worked diligently to mitigate the impact on travelers, offering comprehensive assistance—including hotel accommodations and meals—several passengers were also successfully rebooked on alternative flights. Additionally, travelers were provided options for full refunds upon cancellation, alongside complimentary rescheduling. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our utmost priority at Air India.”
What were the key factors that led to the significant delay of Air India Flight AI 377 on November 16?
**Interview with Passenger Advocate Neha Sharma on the Air India Flight AI 377 Ordeal**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Neha. You’ve been closely involved with the passengers affected by the Air India Flight AI 377 situation. Can you start by telling us what happened on November 16?
**Neha Sharma**: Thank you for having me. On November 16, what should have been a routine flight from Phuket to Delhi turned into a four-day nightmare for 142 passengers. The flight was scheduled to depart at 5:50 PM, but it was delayed due to technical issues with the Airbus A320 and crew duty hour regulations, which meant they could not operate the flight.
**Editor**: That sounds incredibly frustrating for the passengers. How did Air India respond during this prolonged delay?
**Neha Sharma**: Initially, there was some communication, but as the hours turned into days, frustration among passengers grew. Many were left without clear information regarding their accommodations and rebooking. There were reports of inadequate support at the airport, which further complicated the situation.
**Editor**: Were passengers able to receive any form of compensation or assistance during this time?
**Neha Sharma**: There were some efforts by Air India to provide hotel accommodations and meals, but many passengers felt that it wasn’t enough considering the extended duration of their ordeal. The lack of timely updates made it challenging for them to make alternate arrangements.
**Editor**: Now that the ordeal has concluded, what steps do you believe Air India should take to prevent such situations in the future?
**Neha Sharma**: Transparent communication is key. Air India needs to ensure that they have a robust contingency plan in place for both technical issues and crew scheduling. Additionally, better customer service training for their staff would go a long way in handling crises effectively. Passengers deserve timely updates and efficient assistance when faced with unexpected delays.
**Editor**: Great points, Neha. Is there anything else you’d like to share regarding the passengers’ experience or your ongoing advocacy?
**Neha Sharma**: I want to emphasize that this is about more than just one flight. It’s a reflection of systemic issues within airline operations that affect passenger trust and safety. We hope to see improvements so that no one has to endure such an experience again.
**Editor**: Thank you so much for your insights, Neha. We hope these voices are heard and that better measures are implemented moving forward.
**Neha Sharma**: Thank you for having me.