NEW DELHI: Dozens of passengers, including Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and renowned gastroenterologist Dr. Subrat Acharya, were left stranded overnight at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after their Air India flight to Bhubaneswar encountered a technical snag on Tuesday evening.
Flight AI-2489 was originally scheduled to depart at 5:45 PM (IST), but takeoff was delayed due to what airline staff later described as a “technical issue.” After an extended wait, passengers were allowed to board the aircraft, only to find themselves stuck on the tarmac as the plane never proceeded to the runway.
Crew members eventually informed passengers that the flight had been grounded and requested everyone to disembark. Stranded passengers, including women and children, were left without clarity on alternate arrangements, spending the night at Terminal 3’s Gate 32A.
One frustrated passenger took to social media platform X around 1:23 AM, posting: “Harassment to the passengers of flight AI-2489. Air India failed to provide alternate arrangements. Passengers are waiting, including women and children.”
Air India responded to the post, stating: “We understand flight disruptions are quite disappointing. Our team is trying its best to minimise the inconvenience caused.”
However, a follow-up post at 1:42 AM indicated no further progress. “Still no solution. Ground staff are clueless,” the passenger wrote.
As of Wednesday morning, Air India had yet to issue an official statement regarding the rescheduled departure or alternate arrangements for affected passengers.
