Cricketer's Frustrating Ordeal at Guwahati Airport
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj publicly criticized Air India Express on Wednesday night following a prolonged flight delay that left passengers stranded for hours without proper communication. The incident occurred as the cricketer was traveling from Guwahati to Hyderabad after India's Test series defeat against South Africa.
Flight IX 2884 Never Took Off
In a strongly worded post on social media platform X, Siraj revealed that his scheduled flight IX 2884 was supposed to depart from Guwahati at 7:25 PM but never took off as planned. The cricketer expressed extreme frustration over the airline's failure to provide any proper explanation for the delay despite repeated enquiries from passengers.
"Air India flight No. IX 2884 from Guwahati to Hyderabad was supposed to depart at 7:25pm, yet there has been no communication from the airline," Siraj posted. "Even after repeated follow-ups, they've only delayed the flight without giving any proper reason. It's extremely frustrating, and this is the basic expectation of any passenger."
Airline's Response and Apology
After Siraj's post went viral on social media, Air India Express issued a public response acknowledging the issue. The airline apologized to the cricketer and explained that the flight had been cancelled due to "unforeseen operational reasons."
The airline assured that its staff were actively assisting affected passengers with alternative arrangements and expressed appreciation for passengers' patience during the difficult situation. Siraj had described the experience as the "worst airline experience" and urged fellow travelers to avoid the carrier unless it improves its service standards.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in India's aviation sector, particularly concerning communication during flight disruptions. Siraj was returning home after participating in India's 408-run defeat to South Africa that resulted in a 0-2 Test series loss for the visiting team.
