Air India flight from Kochi to Delhi delays due to technical issue

NEW DELHI: Passengers on board an Air India flight from Kochi to Delhi faced an unexpected delay on Sunday after a technical snag was detected during the aircraft’s take-off roll.

According to an airline spokesperson, the cockpit crew noticed the issue and, in line with Standard Operating Procedures, discontinued the take-off run. The AI504 aircraft was then taxied back to the bay for inspection.

The airline, in its statement, said, “Flight AI504 operating from Kochi to Delhi on Sunday, 17 August, was delayed due to a technical issue detected during the take-off roll. The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the take-off run, following Standard Operating Procedures and brought the aircraft back to bay for checks”.

All passengers were safely disembarked, and Air India arranged for an alternative aircraft to operate the service. Ground staff in Kochi provided immediate assistance to the affected travellers.

“Subsequently, all passengers were disembarked, and an alternative aircraft was deployed to operate the flight. Our ground team in Kochi provided immediate assistance to the affected passengers”, the airline further said.

“We regret the inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen situation. At Air India, the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remain our top priority”, the airline said in a statement. The airline did not disclose specific details of the technical problem, but emphasised that safety protocols were followed at every step.

The incident came to light after Congress MP Hibi Eden, who was on board the flight, posted on social media that the aircraft seemed to have skidded on the runway.
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“Something unusual with this flight AI 504….it just felt like the flight skid on the runway….and hasn’t taken off yet….” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Rajya Sabha MP Jebi Mather, who was also on board, said the pilot later announced that the aircraft could not be used for travel.”Now pilot announced…this aircraft cannot be used for travel. So, will be shifting passengers to another aircraft and approx by 1 am”, Mather said.(ANI)