Ahmedabad: The same Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (AI-171) that tragically crashed on Thursday had reportedly faced serious technical issues just last month, resulting in the cancellation of its scheduled flight from Ahmedabad to London. At that time, passengers expressed frustration over Air India’s continued use of ageing aircraft, citing frequent technical glitches that disrupted travel plans.

On that day, passengers of AI-171 had a bitter experience. The flight, originally scheduled to depart from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:10 PM, was abruptly cancelled after passengers were made to wait inside the aircraft for over two hours. Most travellers had arrived at the airport well in advance, expecting a routine international journey. However, after a delayed boarding process that began at 2:00 PM, passengers were kept waiting inside the aircraft under uncomfortable conditions, with the air conditioning intermittently switched off.

Despite repeated queries, passengers received no clear response from the airline crew about the nature of the delay or the expected takeoff time. Eventually, they were informed that the flight had been cancelled due to a “technical glitch.” While Air India did announce a refund for the affected passengers, many expressed deep dissatisfaction, noting that such incidents have become increasingly frequent.

Passengers had specifically raised concerns about the airline operating with outdated aircraft, warning that persistent technical problems not only disrupt travel schedules but also pose a potential safety risk. “Air India needs to urgently address its ageing fleet. This isn’t the first time flights are being cancelled last minute due to faults, and it’s extremely frustrating,” one stranded passenger remarked, according to a news report.

The earlier incident gains renewed significance in light of the recent fatal crash involving the same aircraft, which claimed the lives of 241 people. Investigations into both incidents are expected to scrutinize Air India’s fleet maintenance protocols and operational safety standards. DeshGujarat