Air India passengers stranded overnight at Delhi airport after flight encounters technical 'snag'; Union minister, top doctor among them
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NEW DELHI: Passengers of an Air India flight from Delhi to Bhubaneswar were left stranded for several hours on Tuesday night after the aircraft failed to take off due to a technical 'snag.
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Flight AI-2489 was scheduled to depart from Delhi's IGI Airport at 17.45 IST.
Among the passengers were Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram and noted gastroenterologist Dr Subrat Acharya.
After a long wait, passengers were allowed to board the aircraft, but the plane remained stationary and did not proceed to the runway.
Crew members later informed them that a technical issue had grounded the flight and asked them to disembark.
Many passengers remained at Terminal 3's departure gate 32A into the early hours of Wednesday, with no confirmation about an alternate flight or revised departure time.
One passenger posted on social media platform X at 1:23am, saying: '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, saying: 'We understand flight disruptions are quite disappointing, our team is trying its best to minimise the inconvenience caused.'
However, in a follow-up post at 1:42am, the passenger said there was still no solution and claimed that the airline's ground staff were unaware of further arrangements.
Air India has not yet issued an official statement confirming the rescheduled departure.
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