Passengers on an Air India flight from Mumbai to Bhopal endured a harrowing experience on Monday, as the aircraft arrived more than five hours behind schedule and faced additional ground delays of three hours after technicians inspected for a suspected bird strike. The ordeal left travelers frustrated and scrambling to reach their onward destinations.
80 Passengers Cancel Tickets Amid Delays
Of the 161 passengers scheduled to board Air India flight AI 634 from Bhopal, 80 canceled their tickets due to the lengthy inspection for a suspected bird hit at Raja Bhoj International Airport. The flight was scheduled to land at 1:40 pm but finally touched down around 5:35 pm, according to passengers and airport sources.
Communication Breakdown Adds to Woes
Passengers recounted their unpleasant experience, noting that the disruption began with reports of a ground staff strike at Mumbai’s terminal. They added that communication between the two airports regarding the delayed arrival was inconsistent throughout the afternoon, compounding their distress.
“I arrived at the airport around 12 noon and had since been stranded here. We were finally told that the flight would depart around 9 pm,” said Palash Patel, a Bhopal-based businessman. “We were kept in the dark for hours.”
Several passengers expressed mounting frustration as updates on the revised schedule were sporadic and vague. Those who boarded the flight at around 7:10 pm remained seated inside the aircraft for nearly two hours, Patel added, describing the journey as “nothing short of a nightmare.”
Inspection Protocol Followed
Airport officials confirmed that the aircraft underwent a thorough inspection after arrival amid reports of a suspected bird strike. “There was talk of a suspected bird-hit on arrival,” said Ramjee Awasthi, director of Bhopal airport. “A thorough inspection had to be carried out as per protocol before the flight could be cleared for its next destination.” He clarified that while the aircraft was checked end-to-end as a standard safety measure, there was no confirmation of an actual bird strike.
The prolonged delay triggered unrest in the departure area, with some travelers creating a commotion demanding clearer information and assistance. As protests grew, airline staff eventually arranged alternate routing for a limited number of affected passengers.
Passengers Incur Extra Costs
Several fliers were rebooked onto another airline via a flight routed through Delhi that departed later in the evening. Those rerouted said the detour added hours to their journeys and incurred extra local transfer costs. “People were tired and anxious. Some elderly passengers could not wait any longer,” one passenger said. Another noted, “They said passenger safety was their top priority and inspections are mandatory after a suspected bird strike.”
Air India officials did not immediately provide detailed comments on the cause of the initial delay in Mumbai or the number of passengers rerouted. Airport authorities advised travelers to monitor official airline communications for updates and stated that an inquiry would be conducted into the incident following standard procedures.
The disruption once again highlighted persistent challenges in ground handling continuity and the need for clearer passenger communication during operational disruptions.
