Mumbai: An Air India flight (AI129) bound for London Heathrow faced a seven-hour delay on November 8, after a technical glitch forced the aircraft to remain grounded at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, leaving passengers stranded through the night.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was scheduled to depart at 2:30 AM, but the issue prompted engineers to conduct detailed safety checks, delaying the flight until after 9:00 AM, according to airport officials.
⚙️ Technical Glitch Causes Overnight Disruption
Sources said the aircraft developed a minor technical fault in its navigation system, requiring immediate rectification before takeoff clearance.
Passengers onboard were deplaned and asked to wait in the terminal as maintenance teams worked to resolve the issue.
“We regret the inconvenience caused due to the technical issue affecting flight AI129 from Mumbai to London. Passenger safety remains our top priority,” Air India said in an official statement.
😔 Passengers Express Frustration
Several passengers took to social media to complain about the lack of timely updates and meal arrangements during the prolonged delay. Some described the experience as “chaotic” and “poorly managed.”
🌍 Ongoing Operational Challenges
The incident underscores operational challenges that the airline continues to face amid fleet modernization and scheduling pressures. Despite recent investments under the Tata Group, experts say technical delays and customer experience gaps remain key areas for improvement.
The flight eventually departed after engineers confirmed all systems were fully functional.
