Bengaluru: An Air India Express flight scheduled to fly to Jaipur from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Saturday witnessed a 10-hour delay, causing significant inconvenience to passengers.
Details of the Delay
Flight IX 1526 was initially scheduled to take off from Bengaluru at 7:25 PM and reach Jaipur by 10:00 PM, covering the distance in 2 hours and 35 minutes. However, the departure was repeatedly postponed, leaving passengers frustrated as the aircraft failed to take off even by late Saturday night.
After multiple delays, the aircraft finally completed all procedures and received clearance for take-off at 5:19 AM on Sunday, nearly 10 hours behind schedule. It subsequently landed at Jaipur International Airport at 7:52 AM. Notably, as of Sunday evening, the return flight from Bengaluru was still awaiting departure at the time of this report.
Airline's Clarification
Air India Express later clarified that the delay was primarily due to adverse weather conditions in Bengaluru and along the flight route. “Weather conditions were not appropriate for the aircraft to fly. That is why there was this delay, and the passengers were given an option of a full refund or rescheduling if they wanted, as per Directorate General of Civil Aviation protocol,” a spokesperson told Times of India.
The carrier also stated that it offered affected passengers accommodation if they wished to wait for the flight to depart once weather conditions improved. Additionally, the airline noted that several other flights, though not delayed as long, also experienced late take-offs due to the same weather situation.
Operational Constraints
Sources indicated that operational constraints related to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for pilots might have also contributed to the delayed departure. These regulations limit how long pilots can be on duty, potentially causing further scheduling issues when flights are already delayed.
Passengers were urged to check with the airline for updates and alternative arrangements. The incident highlights the impact of weather on air travel and the importance of flexible policies for affected travelers.
