Air India flyers stuck in aircraft for 4 hours

Mumbai: More than 200 passengers were cramped inside an Air India flight at Mumbai airport for at least four hours before staging a protest on the airfield in the wee hours of Monday after the airline cancelled its flight to Newark. Following the agitation, the airline management accommodated the passengers in a hotel. Such nightmares could, however, become routine due to the on-going conflict between cabin crew and management.
First, the incoming flight arrived in Mumbai an hour behind schedule. After boarding was completed, the pilot asked for a revised flight plan, which is a document comprising departure and arrival points, estimated time en route, etc. It delayed the take-off by nearly an hour. Meanwhile, a passenger reported sick on board and got off.
The flight was supposed to take off at 1.30 am but airport sources said passengers were made to sit inside the aircraft till 6.30 am. However, Air India spokesperson said passengers were deplaned by 5 am. “We will operate a bigger aircraft for Newark on Tuesday,” the spokesperson added.
09/11/10 Soubhik Mitra/Hindustan Times

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Categories: Air India Nov 2010, Airports Nov 2010