Air India Flight From Paris Diverted to Jaipur, Passengers Sent to Delhi by Bus
New Delhi: Chaos unfolded as an Air India flight (AI-2022) from Paris to Delhi was unexpectedly diverted to Jaipur, leaving passengers stranded for hours before they were ultimately transported to the national capital by bus.
The flight, which departed Paris at 10 PM on Sunday, was originally scheduled to land in Delhi at 10:35 AM on Monday. However, dense smog in Delhi, coupled with the pilots’ lack of certification for low-visibility landings, led to its diversion to Jaipur.
Pilots Refuse to Fly Further
Upon arrival at Jaipur airport, the situation worsened as the pilots refused to continue flying, citing the completion of their duty hours. As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, flight crews are mandated to rest adequately to ensure safety and prevent fatigue-related incidents.
Sources revealed that the airline decided against arranging an alternate flight, deeming the process more time-consuming than organizing road transport.
Passenger Protests and Criticism
The stranded passengers, frustrated by the long delay, criticized Air India for its alleged mismanagement. Social media was flooded with posts expressing dissatisfaction, with many passengers sharing their harrowing experiences.
One user, Vishal P, posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Shameful and pathetic management from @airindia today as flight #AI2022 from CDG-DEL diverted to JAI. Pax stranded at JAI asked to spend 5 hrs inside the aircraft and then to take a bus from JAI to DEL. My wife and two months old is suffering, and I am helpless.”
Another passenger, Giridhara Upadhayaya, wrote:
“@airindia is not helping passengers from Paris to Bengaluru stranded in Jaipur since 12 noon. There is a mother with a 2-month-old baby, and they are not in the mood to assist. Very inhuman staff…(sic)”
Amid growing protests, passengers were eventually sent to Delhi by bus.
Air India Remains Silent
As of now, Air India has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. However, sources indicated that arranging another flight could have prolonged the passengers’ ordeal further.
Aviation Challenges in Smog
The incident highlights challenges faced by airlines during adverse weather conditions, such as smog, which can disrupt flight schedules and demand additional pilot certifications for low-visibility operations.
While safety protocols are crucial, the incident raises questions about passenger management and the preparedness of airlines to handle such situations effectively.
Passengers are now calling for better coordination and transparency from airlines during unexpected diversions to avoid similar inconveniences in the future.
