Air India Flight from Ahmedabad to London Cancelled Due to Technical Glitch

Ahmedabad (The Uttam Hindu) :  Air India’s international flight AI-159, scheduled to depart from Ahmedabad to London on Tuesday morning, was abruptly cancelled due to a significant technical issue detected during pre-flight checks. The last-minute cancellation left hundreds of passengers stranded at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, sparking confusion, frustration, and anger among travelers.

Technical Malfunction Detected Pre-Departure

According to official sources within Air India, the Boeing aircraft designated for the AI-159 flight developed a critical technical fault shortly before take-off. Engineers discovered the problem during a routine safety inspection, prompting authorities to ground the flight immediately in the interest of passenger safety.

An Air India spokesperson stated:

“Flight AI-159 from Ahmedabad to London was cancelled due to an unexpected technical issue. The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority. We regret the inconvenience caused and are working to assist all affected passengers with alternative travel arrangements.”

Passenger Inconvenience and Chaos at the Airport

The sudden cancellation caused chaos at the airport, especially for international passengers with connecting flights, business meetings, and urgent commitments in the UK. Many passengers expressed their disappointment over the lack of timely communication and the long wait to receive further instructions.

Neha Jain, a business traveler from Ahmedabad, shared her experience:

“I had an important meeting in London this evening. The cancellation has completely disrupted my plans. There was no clear communication from the airline, and we were just left waiting. It’s frustrating.”

Alternative Arrangements by the Airline

Air India is reportedly working to rebook passengers on alternative flights, including those operated by partner airlines. Some travelers have been offered accommodation at nearby hotels, meals, and transportation until the next available flight, expected to depart on Wednesday. However, with limited international connectivity from Ahmedabad, rerouting passengers has proven to be a logistical challenge.

DGCA Seeks Report

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has taken note of the incident and has requested a detailed report from Air India. The DGCA has been tightening oversight on airline maintenance protocols following recent incidents involving technical failures across various carriers.

Growing Concerns Over Reliability

This incident has once again raised concerns over the operational reliability of Air India, particularly for long-haul international routes. Passengers have called for better contingency planning and more proactive communication strategies to handle such disruptions more effectively in the future. As of now, Air India has not provided a specific timeline for when the technical issue will be resolved or when the aircraft will be deemed fit to fly again. Passengers are advised to stay in touch with airline representatives for updates.