Tue Nov 19 15:20:59 UTC 2024: ## Over 100 Air India Passengers Stranded in Phuket After Repeated Flight Delays
**Phuket, Thailand** – Over 100 passengers bound for New Delhi are enduring a protracted ordeal after their Air India flight from Phuket was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled due to technical issues. The ordeal, which began on the night of November 16th, has left passengers stranded for over 80 hours.
The flight, initially scheduled to depart on November 16th, experienced a six-hour delay due to a reported technical fault. Passengers claim they were subsequently boarded, only to be deboarded an hour later, resulting in the flight’s cancellation. After the aircraft was allegedly repaired, a second attempt at departure resulted in another technical failure approximately two and a half hours into the flight, forcing an emergency return to Phuket.
Air India acknowledged the situation, expressing regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers. The airline stated that efforts were made to mitigate the impact, providing hotel accommodations, meals, and alternative flight options for some passengers. Full refunds and complimentary rescheduling were also offered. However, social media posts from stranded passengers indicate dissatisfaction with the airline’s response and ongoing difficulties. While Air India maintains that passenger safety is paramount, many remain stranded, including elderly passengers and children.
According to an Air India source, a number of passengers have already been repatriated, with approximately 40 still awaiting flights back to Delhi. The airline anticipates these remaining passengers will be accommodated this evening. Flight tracking data corroborates the passengers’ accounts, showing the flight’s aborted attempt to reach Delhi. The incident has sparked widespread criticism of Air India’s handling of the situation.
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