Passengers scheduled to fly from Mumbai to Ahmedabad on Air India Express flight IX 2475 faced a frustrating travel experience on Sunday. After waiting for hours at the airport, their journey came to a halt when Air India Express cancelled the Mumbai-Ahmedabad flight, citing that the crew had exceeded their duty time limit. The incident left passengers stranded and disappointed.
Air India Express Cancels Mumbai-Ahmedabad Flight After Crew Crosses Duty Time Limit
The Air India Express Mumbai–Ahmedabad flight was originally set to depart at 9:15 AM. However, a significant delay left passengers waiting well into the afternoon. Boarding finally began around 2 PM. Just when travellers thought the flight would proceed, the crew informed them that the flight had to be cancelled due to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL).
As reported by ANI, due to the extended delay, the flight crew reached the maximum duty time allowed by aviation regulations. As per the FDTL, airline crews cannot legally operate flights once this time is exceeded, as it poses safety concerns.
Sudden Cancellation Adds To Passengers’ Inconvenience
Many passengers had already boarded the aircraft when they were asked to disembark. The sudden decision caused widespread inconvenience, especially for those travelling with families, senior citizens, and children. Reports mention that several passengers had been waiting at the terminal since early morning.
Also Read: Guwahati–Kolkata Air India Express Flight Delay Leaves 170 Passengers Stranded For 18 Hours
Videos circulating online, including those shared by users on platform X, showed visuals of passengers walking out of the aircraft after the cancellation. Some users expressed concern over the lack of timely updates and proper communication by the airline.
No Official Statement Yet From The Airline
As of now, Air India Express has not issued an official statement regarding the cancellation. The airline has also not confirmed how many passengers were affected. According to ANI, the aircraft involved was an Airbus A321-211 with registration VT-PPL, which generally seats over 200 passengers.
Also Read: India Closes 27 Airports, Cancels Over 400 Flights; Passengers Take Note
The Air India Express cancellation of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad flight has raised concerns over airline operations and planning. Crew scheduling is a critical aspect of flight management, and poor planning often leads to such last-minute cancellations. Passengers now seek more clarity and better handling of such situations in future.
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