More than 170 passengers of an Air India Express flight to Kolkata were left stranded at Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport after the flight was delayed by over 18 hours. The situation led to frustration, confusion, and strong reactions from affected travellers, who remained without proper updates or assistance for most of the ordeal.
Guwahati-Kolkata Air India Express Flight Delayed
According to a report by India TV, the Air India Express flight IX-1226, originally scheduled to depart from Guwahati to Kolkata at 9:20 pm on Saturday, faced an extensive delay and finally took off at 3:34 pm on Sunday. Passengers had already boarded the flight on Saturday night but were later deboarded without an adequate explanation. Reportedly, they deboarded the flight twice due to a ‘technical glitch’.
This repeated boarding and deboarding created widespread confusion and inconvenience, especially for families and elderly travellers. With minimal communication from the airline staff, passengers found themselves stuck at the airport for nearly an entire day. The incident added to a broader wave of disruptions that affected multiple Air India flights across the country. A video posted by an user on X captured the scene of stranded passengers at Guwahati airport amid the prolonged delay.
Tensions Rise As Passengers Demand Accountability
As reported by India TV, the situation at Guwahati airport escalated further when another group of passengers protested after the cancellation of their Hyderabad-bound Air India flight. The airport witnessed scenes of chaos as travellers voiced their dissatisfaction over inadequate handling of the cancellations and delays.
Also Read:Pune: Nearly 250 Travellers Affected By Flight Delays Mismanagement!
Passengers of the delayed Guwahati-Kolkata flight sought immediate answers, demanding assistance, rescheduling, or full refunds. However, many claimed that they were met with silence or vague instructions, prompting further frustration and raising questions about Air India’s internal operations and staff availability.
Airline Disruption Sparks Widespread Criticism
The airline reportedly experienced major operational disruptions due to mass leave taken by a section of cabin crew. This sudden manpower shortage triggered a chain of cancellations and extended delays across several cities, including Guwahati. While Air India has cited internal challenges, affected passengers continued to demand transparency and better customer service.
Also Read: Emirates Qatar Airways Flights Affected Due To Airspace Closure In Iran; DXB Announces Flight Delays
The Guwahati-Kolkata flight delay has highlighted the need for stronger contingency planning and improved communication during service disruptions. Travellers now seek assurances that such incidents will not be repeated, especially on critical domestic routes.
Cover Image Courtesy:@iRonyForChange/X