Air India Flight Faces Delay Due to Technical Issues at Raipur Airport

Technical Glitch Causes Delay for Passengers

Raipur, Aug 11: A technical issue with an Air India flight arriving from Delhi resulted in a stressful hour-long delay at Raipur airport, leaving approximately 160 passengers, including a sitting MLA, trapped inside the aircraft without immediate information.

The flight, AI 2797, took off from Delhi at 8:15 p.m. and reached Raipur’s Swami Vivekananda Airport at 10:05 p.m. on Sunday. However, upon landing, the aircraft's door malfunctioned, which airline personnel later attributed to a 'technical fault.'

Passengers were stuck inside the plane until after 11:00 p.m., leading to confusion and anxiety.

Among those on board was Atal Srivastava, the Congress MLA representing the Kota constituency in Bilaspur district.

Witnesses reported that the cabin crew initially provided no clear information, which heightened the passengers' unease.

“There was a lack of communication for some time. People were worried, especially in light of recent aviation incidents,” remarked one passenger, referencing a recent plane crash in Ahmedabad that has made the public more sensitive to air safety issues.

The situation intensified when passengers observed a power outage within the aircraft, leading to further speculation about a malfunction. However, Air India officials later stated that the delay was part of a standard security drill and not indicative of a safety issue.

This explanation, however, did little to alleviate the concerns of passengers who had already experienced an hour of uncertainty.

Airport officials confirmed that there were no injuries or medical emergencies during the delay, and all passengers were able to disembark safely.

As of Monday afternoon, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had not released an official statement regarding the incident.

This incident adds to a series of technical irregularities involving Air India flights in recent months, raising questions about the airline's operational readiness and communication protocols with passengers.

While the airline asserts that safety was never at risk, this event has reignited concerns regarding the management of in-flight disruptions and the psychological impact on travelers.

As air travel continues to recover post-pandemic, aviation authorities may face mounting pressure to ensure not only mechanical reliability but also effective and timely communication with passengers during unforeseen delays.