Passengers on board an Air India flight from Mumbai to Bhopal endured a harrowing experience on Monday as the aircraft arrived more than five hours behind schedule and faced additional ground delays of three hours after technicians inspected for a suspected bird strike. The ordeal left fliers frustrated and struggling to reach their onward destinations.
Flight Delay and Cancellations
Of the 161 passengers scheduled to board Air India flight AI 634 from Bhopal, 80 cancelled their tickets as the inspection for a suspected bird hit consumed hours at Raja Bhoj International Airport. Scheduled to land at 1:40 pm, the flight finally touched down around 5:35 pm, according to passengers and airport sources.
Passenger Accounts
Recounting their unpleasant experience, passengers said the disruption began with reports of a ground staff strike at Mumbai's terminal. Communication between both airports regarding the delayed arrival was inconsistent throughout the afternoon, compounding their woes. Palash Patel, a Bhopal-based businessman, told TOI, "I arrived at the airport around 12 noon and had been stranded since. We were finally told the flight would depart around 9 pm. We were kept in the dark for hours."
Several passengers expressed mounting frustration as updates on the revised flight schedule were sporadic and vague. Those who boarded the Bhopal flight around 7:10 pm remained seated inside the aircraft for nearly two hours, Patel added, calling the journey "nothing short of a nightmare."
Official Statements
Airport officials confirmed the aircraft underwent a thorough inspection after arrival amid reports of a suspected bird hit. Ramjee Awasthi, director of Bhopal airport, told TOI, "There was talk of a suspected bird hit on arrival. A thorough inspection had to be carried out as per protocol before the flight could be cleared for its next destination." He added, "As part of standard safety protocol, the aircraft was checked end-to-end before taking off. However, there was no confirmation of a bird hit."
Passenger Unrest and Alternative Arrangements
The prolonged delay triggered unrest in the departure area, with some travellers creating commotion demanding clearer information and assistance. As protests grew louder, airline staff ultimately arranged alternate routing for a limited number of affected passengers. Several fliers were rebooked onto another airline via Delhi, departing later in the evening. Those rerouted said the detour added hours to their journeys and incurred extra local transfer costs.
"People were tired and anxious. Some elderly passengers could not wait any longer," one passenger said. Another noted, "They said passenger safety was their top priority and inspections are mandatory after a suspected bird strike."
Airline Response and Investigation
Air India officials did not immediately provide a detailed comment on the cause of the initial delay in Mumbai or the number of passengers rerouted. Airport authorities advised travellers to monitor official airline communications for updates, stating that an inquiry would be conducted into the incident following standard procedures.
The disruption again highlighted persistent challenges to ground handling continuity and the need for clearer passenger communication during operational disruptions.
