A-I blames security checks, rush hour for Heathrow delay

Asked by the ministry to explain the delay that led to Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel taking a Jet Airways flight instead of an Air-India one from London to Mumbai, the national carrier has said heavy rush at the Heathrow airport because of the presence of a large number of deportees had delayed its crew8217;s arrival there. Increased security checks added to the delay, it has added.

Patel, it is learnt, decided to switch over to the Jet Airways flight when he spotted Air-India8217;s crew approaching the airport just ahead of him on the night of October 26. Scheduled to board the Air-India flight at 9.30 pm, the minister realised that the delay on part of the crew could push the take-off time into the night-curfew at Heathrow, wherein no flights are allowed to take-off or land. The minister, therefore, decided to take the Jet Airways flights at 9.30 pm. The Air-India flight, meanwhile, just managed to escape the night curfew, taking off at 10.05 pm.

A-I is also learnt to have stated that owing to fixed duty hours, it was not possible for the crew to report too early.