Air India Washington-Delhi flight cancelled after fuel stop in Vienna over technical snag

New Delhi: Air India cancelled its New Delhi to Washington, DC flight on Wednesday after a technical issue was detected during a routine stopover in Vienna, leading to extended maintenance work, an airline spokesperson said.

The Vienna-to-Washington segment was cancelled, and all passengers were disembarked in Vienna. This disruption also caused the cancellation of the return flight AI104 from Washington, DC to Delhi via Vienna. Affected passengers have been rebooked on alternate flights or offered full refunds based on their preferences.

During a planned fuel stop in Vienna on July 2, routine aircraft checks revealed the need for additional maintenance before the next flight. Passengers eligible for visa-free entry or holding valid Schengen visas were provided hotel accommodations in Vienna. Those without entry permission are awaiting arrangements pending Austrian immigration and security clearances.

The airline emphasised that the decision to cancel flights was part of its "voluntary enhanced pre-flight safety checks" to ensure passenger safety and reduce last-minute disruptions. Air India expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and reaffirmed its commitment to safety.

Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express operate over 1,100 daily flights, serving more than 150,000 passengers. The airline cited challenges such as airspace closures, airport curfews in Europe and East Asia, and air traffic congestion as contributing factors to occasional delays and cancellations.

Despite proactive measures, unforeseen operational issues sometimes lead to last-minute disruptions, the airline said, adding it strives to notify passengers in advance whenever possible to minimize inconvenience.