Tensions flared at Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport as irate passengers confronted Air India authorities following a significant delay of flight AI-2489 from Delhi to Bhubaneswar.
Scheduled to land at 12:05 AM, the flight arrived only at 5:00 AM, leaving passengers stranded for hours without basic amenities like water or food.
The incident follows a string of operational issues for Air India, intensified after the recent AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad. Mechanical failures have led to frequent flight cancellations and emergency landings, raising concerns about the airline’s reliability.
Passengers, who had been waiting at the airport since 7:00 PM, expressed frustration over the lack of communication and support from the airline. The confrontation escalated into a heated argument, with videos of the chaos going viral on social media.
The delay, reportedly due to a technical glitch, has spotlighted Air India’s ongoing challenges with fleet maintenance and passenger management.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement, but the incident has sparked widespread criticism, with passengers demanding accountability and improved services.
