Air India Mumbai-Delhi Delayed for 5 Hrs Due to 'Operational Reasons', Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant Furious

An Air India flight scheduled to travel from Mumbai to Delhi has been delayed for five hours, Shiv Sena Arvind Sawant shared in a social media post.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Sawant said that flight AI888 was supposed to take off at 7 pm. The airline responded that the flight would depart at 11:55 pm.

Sawant said, “#AirIndia Flight AI888 Mumbai to Delhi was supposed to take off at 7.00. Passengers boarded 1.30 hour back! If there is any technical issue why at first instance officials allowed boarding? @airindia still not ready to improve!!! ”

The airline quickly responded to his post saying that the flight was delayed due to operational reasons. “We regret the inconvenience caused due to the delay. As per the current status, it will depart at 2355 hrs. We appreciate your continued patience”, they added.

Sawant further asked the carrier if the flight was going to be so late then why it did not arrange any other aircraft.

Earlier on September 14, several flights to and from Mumbai airport witnessed delays after a private jet skidded off the runaway amid heavy rain. The runway, which was closed for some time, later opened for operations post DGCA clearance.

Eight people were injured following Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) witnessed a runway excursion today involving a Learjet 45 aircraft VT-DBL, operating a flight from Vishakhapatnam to Mumbai.

All eight persons including the pilot and co-pilot, 1 crew member and 5 passengers were hospitalised.

Following the incident, many flights were diverted to other airports due to the closure of the runway at Mumbai airport.