Krasnoyarsk, Russia: A harrowing ordeal unfolded for 220 passengers aboard Air India flight AI183, bound for San Francisco from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Midway through the journey, a technical fault in the cargo hold area forced an emergency diversion to Krasnoyarsk Airport in Russia.
Stranded and Frustrated
Upon landing safely at Krasnoyarsk, all 220 passengers and 19 crew members were deboarded and ushered into the transit area. However, their frustration grew as they discovered that while the airline had arranged food and hotel accommodation for the crew, no such provisions were made for the passengers.
Silence from the Airline
Passengers expressed their anger and disappointment. Pravesh Mishra, a passenger, vented on social media, demanding updates. “We deserve information,” he wrote. “Hours have passed, yet no official communication from the airline. It appears they prioritize the crew over us.”
No Alternative Flights
Jeera, another passenger, shared her experience, emphasizing that more than ten hours had elapsed without any alternative flight arrangements. Meanwhile, Garima criticized Air India, noting that the crew was absent from the airport, leaving passengers to fend for themselves.
Air India’s Response
Air India acknowledged the situation, assuring passengers that they were working with relevant authorities to address their needs. This incident marks the second emergency diversion in 13 months for the airline, underscoring the challenges of long-haul flights.
An Air India spokesperson said “All of us at Air India are concerned about the passengers and staff and are making every effort possible to operate the ferry flight as soon as possible, and to ensure the health, safety, and security of all while they wait. We will share further updates as soon as they are available.”.
