Air India Apologizes for 30-hour Flight Delay, Offers USD 350 Voucher to Affected Passengers

Air India, the national carrier of India, recently experienced a significant delay in one of its flights from Delhi to San Francisco, which resulted in a 30-hour delay for passengers. The airline has since issued an apology for the inconvenience caused and has offered a travel voucher worth USD 350 to each passenger affected by the delay.

The Delay and Its Impact

The flight in question was scheduled to depart from Delhi and arrive in San Francisco. However, due to a series of technical issues and operational constraints, the flight was delayed by 30 hours. This delay resulted in the flight only taking off on Friday and landing in San Francisco on Saturday, after a flight duration of approximately 16 hours.

Air India’s Response

In response to the delay, Klaus Goersch, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Air India, penned a letter to the passengers affected by the delay. In his letter, Goersch expressed his sincere apologies on behalf of Air India for the extended delay and the inconvenience it caused the passengers. He acknowledged the lapse in service and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the passengers.

Compensation for Passengers

As a gesture of apology, Air India has offered each passenger a travel voucher worth USD 350 for future travel with the airline. Alternatively, passengers have the option to credit this amount instead of using it for travel. This move comes after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show-cause notice to airlines for inordinate flight delays and failure to take care of passengers.

Regulatory Scrutiny

The DGCA has questioned Air India as to why enforcement action should not be initiated against the airline, given that flight AI-179 dated 24 May and flight AI-183 dated 30 May were inordinately delayed. This scrutiny from the regulator underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for airlines to ensure timely service and proper care for passengers.

While the delay and the inconvenience it caused are regrettable, Air India’s response in the form of an apology and compensation in the form of travel vouchers demonstrates the airline’s commitment to its passengers. It is hoped that such incidents will be avoided in the future to ensure a smooth and timely travel experience for all passengers.