Indian cricketer Mohammed Siraj voiced his frustration on social media late Wednesday night after his Air India Express flight from Guwahati to Hyderabad was severely delayed and ultimately cancelled, which he termed the “worst airline experience.”
The Flight Delay and Lack of Communication
At 11:33 PM on Wednesday, Siraj posted on X (formerly Twitter) regarding his ordeal with Air India Express flight no. IX 2884. The flight, originally scheduled to take off from Guwahati at 7:25 PM, faced massive delays.
- The Complaint: Siraj stated the flight was delayed by approximately four hours without any proper reason provided by the airline. He stressed that the complete lack of communication was the most frustrating aspect.
- Feeling Stranded: The cricketer wrote that despite the significant delay, he had still not received any update, leaving him “stranded.” He emphasized that clear communication is a “basic ask by every passenger.”
- Warning to Travelers: Siraj concluded his post with a strong warning, stating: “I really would not advise anyone to take this flight if they can’t take a stand.”
Air India Express Responds and Apologizes
Following the cricketer’s public complaint, Air India Express responded to Siraj’s post, offering an apology for the inconvenience caused.
- Reason for Cancellation: The airline confirmed that the flight was eventually cancelled due to “unforeseen operational reasons.”
- Assistance Promised: Air India Express wrote: “We understand how difficult this situation is, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding.” They assured Siraj that their team was “actively assisting guests with necessary arrangements” and would continue to update him and extend support.
This incident follows a separate event earlier this month where over 800 flights at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were delayed across major airlines due to a technical glitch in the Air Traffic Control system, highlighting ongoing issues within the Indian aviation sector.