Cricketer's Travel Nightmare Goes Viral
Indian fast bowler Mohammad Siraj found himself in an unexpected off-field battle on Wednesday night when his scheduled flight from Guwahati to Hyderabad turned into what he described as the "worst airline experience" of his life. The cricketer took to social media platform X to express his frustration after being stranded at the airport for hours without proper communication from the airline.
The Four-Hour Ordeal
The trouble began when Siraj boarded Air India Express flight IX 2884, which was scheduled to depart from Guwahati at 7:25 PM on Wednesday. According to the cricketer's detailed posts, the aircraft never took off at the appointed time, and what followed was a frustrating wait that stretched to four hours with no clear explanation from the airline staff.
"Air India flight No. IX 2884 from Guwahati to Hyderabad was supposed to depart at 7:25 pm, yet there has been no communication from the airline," Siraj wrote in his initial post. He emphasized that the airline had only delayed the flight without providing any proper reasoning, leaving all passengers in a state of uncertainty and confusion.
Airline's Response and Apology
Within minutes of Siraj's public complaint going viral, Air India Express responded with an official apology. The airline revealed that the flight had been cancelled due to "unfortunate operational reasons" and assured that their airport staff were actively assisting all affected passengers with necessary arrangements.
The airline's social media team wrote: "We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused, Mr Siraj. We regret to inform you that the flight has been cancelled due to unforeseen operational reasons. Our team at the airport is actively assisting all guests with the necessary arrangements."
This incident occurred as Siraj was returning to Hyderabad following India's recent Test series against South Africa, where the team suffered a significant 408-run defeat - their largest margin of loss in men's Test cricket history. The travel inconvenience added to what had already been a challenging period for the cricketer and his teammates.
The episode highlights the ongoing challenges faced by air travelers in India and how social media has become a powerful tool for consumers to hold service providers accountable. Siraj's experience serves as a reminder to all airlines about the importance of transparent communication during operational disruptions.
