Cricketer's Fury Forces Airline to Cancel Flight
Air India Express found itself in the midst of a major public relations crisis after Indian cricket star Mohammed Siraj publicly called out the airline for its poor handling of a flight delay. The incident culminated on Thursday with the airline announcing the complete cancellation of flight IX 2884, which was scheduled to travel from Guwahati to Hyderabad.
Siraj's Social Media Outburst
The controversy began on Wednesday evening when the fast bowler took to social media platform X to express his deep frustration. Siraj revealed that flight IX 2884 was supposed to depart from Guwahati at 7:25 PM, but there was a complete lack of communication from the airline's side. He stated that after repeated follow-ups from passengers, the flight was simply delayed without any proper explanation or reasoning provided.
"This has been really frustrating and this is the basic ask by every passenger," Siraj posted, highlighting a common grievance among air travelers in India. In a subsequent post, his exasperation grew as he added, "Flight delayed by 4 hours and still no update has left us stranded. Worst airline experience." He went so far as to advise others against booking with the airline if they are unable to "take a stand" against such service failures.
Airline's Eventual Response and Cancellation
Following the cricketer's high-profile complaint, which quickly gained traction online, Air India Express was forced to respond. The airline officially replied under Siraj's post on X, delivering the news that many passengers likely dreaded. The flight was cancelled due to "unforeseen operational reasons."
In its public statement, the airline expressed regret for the situation and claimed that its airport team was actively assisting all affected guests with the necessary arrangements. The statement read, "We understand how difficult this situation is, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding. Please be assured that our team will continue to keep you updated and extend all possible support."
This incident underscores a persistent issue in the aviation sector, where a lack of transparent communication during operational disruptions leads to significant passenger distress. The involvement of a prominent sports personality like Mohammed Siraj has brought renewed public attention to the accountability of airlines towards their customers.
