Mumbai-Dubai Air India flight delayed 5 hours, passengers protest onboard

Dubai: Passengers on a Dubai-bound Air India flight (A1909) from Mumbai had a harrowing experience when the flight was delayed for five hours, leaving them stranded onboard.

Media reports indicate that the flight, initially scheduled to depart Mumbai at 8:25am (IST) and arrive in Dubai at 10:15am (GST), was delayed due to technical issues with the Air India 787-8 aircraft.

It finally took off from Mumbai at 5:10pm (IST) and landed in Dubai at 6:29pm (GST), as per FlightRadar24 data.

According to a report in the Financial Express, as the cabin temperature rose, many passengers began to feel suffocated, with some reportedly struggling to breathe due to the lack of air conditioning.

The passengers also criticised the captain for not addressing the situation directly. Remaining in the cockpit, the captain left passengers frustrated. The crew offered no immediate relief, and it was only after passengers demanded to deboard that the gates were eventually opened, the report said.

Passengers protest

A video shared by a passenger onboard captures the passengers’ frustration. In the video, passengers demand updates and ask to be let off the plane. One passenger can be heard saying, “We don’t trust you,” while another demands, “Open the door.” The captain, addressing the situation via intercom, explains, “Airplane jack needs to be connected, please understand.”

Social Media outrage

The viral video quickly spread across social media, sparking widespread criticism of Air India. Passengers echoed similar grievances, with one user recounting a delayed flight without food and another highlighting luggage mismanagement. “I sometimes feel bad for not choosing Air India, but incidents like these remind me why,” one social media user commented.

A passenger on the flight shared the ordeal on Instagram, calling it a “horrible experience.” They described being trapped onboard for over five hours without air conditioning, with relief only provided after protests forced the crew to open the gates and allow deboarding.

Concerns about passenger safety

The incident has raised concerns about how flight delays are managed and the impact on passenger safety. Many are questioning the airline’s accountability, especially with Air India under the management of the Tata Group. Passengers are calling for improved measures to ensure such a distressing and unsafe experience is never repeated.

Air India faces growing pressure

Air India has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, but it will likely face increasing pressure to address the situation and reassure the public about its commitment to passenger welfare and safety. 

A similar incident involving IndiGo occurred earlier this month, drawing criticism for their handling of a delayed flight. A passenger posted a video on social media depicting a heated exchange with the crew, whom he described as "extremely uncooperative and rude," and the service as "appalling."