Air India Flight Delay: A Controversial Decision by the Pilot
An IndiGo flight from Pune to Bengaluru faced a significant delay when the pilot refused to take off after exceeding his permitted working hours. The incident occurred on September 24, 2024, leaving approximately 200 passengers stranded on board for nearly five hours without refreshments or compensation. The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 12:45 a.m., finally took off around 5:44 a.m., resulting in a total delay of six hours upon arrival in Bangalore.
Passenger Outcry and Airline Response
Passengers expressed their frustration on social media, highlighting the airline's lack of customer service during the ordeal. One tweet read, "Absolute disregard for customer service. How can this be allowed?" IndiGo responded by attributing the delay to "operational reasons related to flight duty time constraints" and assured that their team was available to assist passengers throughout the delay. They also extended an apology for the inconvenience caused, emphasizing their commitment to aviation safety regulations.
Safety First: The Pilot's Justification
Despite the backlash from passengers, aviation experts supported the pilot's decision, emphasizing the importance of adhering to flight duty regulations. Expert Mohan Ranganathan stated, "The pilot was absolutely right. If he exceeds his working hours, he may face penalties, and pilot fatigue can lead to disastrous consequences. Safety must always come first." In India, as in many countries, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation strictly regulates pilots' working hours to ensure the safety of flights. Violating these regulations can result in severe penalties for pilots, including license revocation.
