Passengers stranded as Air India Express flight faces 19-hour delay at Hindon Airport

Boarding was initially delayed as the aircraft, which was coming from Goa, had arrived late at the airport, said sources.

“The pilot announced some technical issues after boarding… After that, we heard there was an issue with the wheels,” recalled Shikha Sinha, 65, a passenger.

The airline on Sunday announced that the flight was delayed due to a technical issue and was subsequently unable to take off, as time limitations at the Hindon airport came into effect.

“One of our flights from Hindon is operating with a delay as it could not take off following a technical issue and subsequent watch hour limitations at the airport,” an Air India Express spokesperson had said.

Watch hour limitations are time restrictions notified by the Airports Authority of India for flight operations at an airport. For Hindon Airport, it’s sunrise to sunset.

Sinha recalled being taken to the Delhi Airport with other passengers. “Around 7 pm, passengers were deboarded from the plane, and sent in a bus to take another flight from IGIA. But then, they were turned back midway, and told there were no alternative aircraft available at the Delhi airport,” she claimed.

The airline then provided accommodation to all 200 passengers in hotels near Hindon Airport. Around 3 am Monday, the passengers were taken to the Hindon Airport again after being told that the flight was expected to take off around 6 am.

However, passengers said the plane only took off around 11.41 am on Monday, 19 hours after the scheduled time. The flight reached its destination, Kolkata, around 1.48 pm.

“Since Sunday, we have gone through security checks multiple times. We waited endlessly… I am a heart patient, I had an appointment on Monday in Kolkata,” said a 78-year-old passenger.

There was no statement from Air India Express on Monday after the 19-hour delay.