Air India’s Mumbai-Dubai flight delayed for 5 hours, here’s what caused the chaos
Protests erupt onboard as passengers endure suffocating conditions
DUBAI: Passengers aboard Air India flight AI909, scheduled from Mumbai to Dubai, experienced a severe ordeal when a technical issue delayed the flight for over five hours.
The delay left passengers confined inside the aircraft, sparking frustration and protests.
The flight, originally set to depart Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 8:25 AM IST on Saturday, finally took off at 5:10 PM IST and landed in Dubai at 6:29 PM GST, according to FlightRadar24. Passengers endured stifling conditions as the cabin temperature soared, with air conditioning reportedly not functioning during the extended delay.
Onboard protests
As the heat inside the aircraft mounted, passengers became increasingly frustrated, culminating in protests. A viral video shared on social media showed passengers banging overhead bins and demanding updates. “We don’t trust you,” shouted one, while another pleaded, “Open the door.”
The captain, who only spoke to passengers via intercom, explained that the aircraft’s jack needed to be connected. However, the captain remained in the cockpit, leaving many passengers feeling abandoned.
Amid the growing unrest, passengers insisted on deboarding, and it was only then that the crew allowed passengers to leave the aircraft temporarily.
Social media outcry
The incident quickly spread online, with passengers and social media users voicing their discontent. Many took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to express their frustrations, with one user commenting, “This is why I avoid Air India. Safety and customer care should be a priority.”
Air India flight to Dubai delayed by 8 hours and passengers were made to wait in the flight for 5 hours.
— Zee (@MhaskarChief) January 26, 2025
(Before bootlicker's spread any fake news, this is yesterday's flight)
https://t.co/XmD6XfDSym pic.twitter.com/L4XcxzIPf5
Others shared stories of missed connections and poor communication from the airline.
@airindia no messages for your flight delays. Missed my international flight due to utter negligence From your communication team. Thought the new revamp will actually make the experience better. But how sad to see India’s biggest airline not answerable to their customers.
— Abhishek Banerjee (@nowitsabhi) January 25, 2025
One Instagram user described the ordeal as a “horrible experience,” detailing the suffocating conditions onboard and the crew’s delayed response.
Passenger safety concerns
This incident has raised significant concerns about how airlines manage flight delays and handle passenger welfare. With Air India now under Tata Group management, passengers are questioning the airline’s accountability in ensuring safety and comfort during delays. The airline has yet to release an official statement on the matter, leaving customers demanding answers.
The Air India debacle isn’t isolated. Just weeks earlier, an IndiGo flight faced a similar outcry when a pilot refused to fly due to exceeding work hours. Passengers endured a five-hour delay with minimal communication, leading to heated exchanges with the crew. Videos from that incident, too, went viral, spotlighting broader concerns about passenger rights and airline operations in India.