Air India Offers $350 Vouchers to Passengers for 30-Hour Flight Delay
The Ordeal:
In a harrowing incident, 220 passengers aboard Air India flight AI183 from Delhi to San Francisco experienced an unexpected and prolonged delay. The flight, originally scheduled to take off at around 15:30 hours on Thursday, faced a series of challenges that turned a routine journey into an over 30-hour ordeal.
Technical Glitches and Operational Constraints:
The delay was attributed to several factors, including:
- Technical glitches: A fault with the air conditioning system caused significant disruptions.
- Non-functional air-conditioning system: Passengers endured discomfort due to the malfunctioning cooling system.
- Payload issues: Additional operational constraints further complicated matters.
Multiple Reschedules and Frustration:
As the flight was repeatedly rescheduled, passengers grew increasingly frustrated. At one point, the aircraft even returned to the Delhi Airport within five minutes after take-off. The actual duration of the flight, which eventually departed at 21:55 hours on Friday, was 16 hours.
Air India’s Apology and Compensation:
In response to this inconvenience, Air India issued a sincere apology. Klaus Goersch, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Air India, expressed regret on behalf of the airline. He acknowledged the extended delay caused by technical issues and operational challenges. As a gesture of goodwill, Air India offered each passenger a travel voucher worth $350 for future journeys with the airline.
Passenger Options:
Passengers have the flexibility to choose between two options:
- Credit the amount: They can retain the voucher value for future travel.
- Use it for travel: Alternatively, they can apply the voucher toward their next booking.
Minister’s Stance:
Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasized that prolonged delays are unacceptable. Whether on the plane or in the terminal, passengers should not be made to wait for hours. He urged airlines to promptly cancel and reschedule flights to alleviate passenger suffering.
Regulatory Action:
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show cause notice to Air India regarding flight delays and inadequate passenger care. Specifically, the watchdog highlighted the inordinate delays of two international flights:
- AI 183: Delhi to San Francisco on May 30.
- AI 179: Mumbai to San Francisco on May 24.