NewKerala.com

Air India Express Cancels Flight: Safety First Amid Technical Issue in Vijayawada

Air India Express had to cancel a flight between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam due to a technical problem. The airline ensured passenger safety by providing accommodations and flexible travel options. This comes as the carrier recently warned of potential delays from fog in northern India. Meanwhile, latest figures show IndiGo has overtaken the Air India group in international passenger numbers.

Key Points: Air India Express Cancels Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam Flight Over Technical Snag

  • Flight cancelled after pilot identified a technical issue before takeoff for safety reasons
  • Passengers provided hotel stays and offered full refunds or free rescheduling
  • Airline had earlier issued fog advisories affecting several North India routes
  • DGCA data shows IndiGo surpassed Air India group in international passenger traffic last quarter
2 min read

Air India Express cancels Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam flight over technical issue

Air India Express cancels a Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam flight due to a technical issue, offering passengers refunds and rescheduling as DGCA data shows IndiGo leads in international traffic.

"In the interest of safety, our Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam flight returned to the ramp after the pilot identified a technical issue prior to departure. - Air India Express spokesperson"

New Delhi, December 19

Low-cost Indian airline and subsidiary of the Tata Group, Air India Express, cancelled the Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam flight on Friday due to a technical issue that was identified prior to departure.

According to an Air India Express spokesperson, passengers were provided with hotel accommodation and offered the option of a full refund or complimentary rescheduling.

"In the interest of safety, our Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam flight returned to the ramp after the pilot identified a technical issue prior to departure. The flight was subsequently cancelled. Guests were promptly provided with hotel accommodation and refreshments. Guests were also offered options, including a full refund or complimentary rescheduling. We regret the inconvenience caused and reiterate that safety remains paramount in all aspects of our operations," said an Air India Express spokesperson.

Earlier, on December 15, Air India Express issued a travel advisory warning that fog at select airports in North India may affect flight schedules. According to the airline, affected services included flights between Varanasi (VNS) and Mumbai (BOM) and Delhi-Srinagar (SXR). Additionally, Delhi-Indore (IDR), Delhi-Guwahati (GAU), Delhi-Ranchi (IXR), Mangaluru (IXE)-Delhi, Delhi-Mangaluru (IXE), and Lucknow (LKO)-Riyadh (RUH) flights were also affected by the flight scheduling.

Air India Express said passengers affected are eligible for a one-time flight change without change fees for up to seven days from the original travel date, or for a full refund to the original payment method.

Meanwhile, IndiGo has overtaken Air India and Air India Express in international passenger traffic during the July-September 2025 quarter, according to official data by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Data for the quarter shows IndiGo carried a total of 41.36 lakh international passengers, with 19.88 lakh passengers arriving in India and 21.47 lakh departing from the country. By comparison, Air India carried 11.79 lakh passengers to India and 11.97 lakh from India, while Air India Express recorded 8.08 lakh arrivals and 9.13 lakh departures.

Even when combined, the Air India group's international passenger volumes for the quarter fell short of IndiGo's standalone numbers. This change occurred after Air India reduced its flights following a June plane crash. This reduction in flights created capacity that IndiGo quickly filled by increasing flights on key international routes.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The Vizag-Vijayawada route is crucial for many business travelers in Andhra. These cancellations disrupt schedules badly. While safety is non-negotiable, Air India Express needs to improve maintenance reliability. IndiGo's growing numbers show passengers are voting with their wallets.
A
Aman W
Had a similar issue last month with them on a Delhi-Coimbatore flight. The refund process was smooth, I'll give them that. But the overall trust is shaken. The Tata group needs to sort this out fast, especially with IndiGo pulling ahead.
S
Sarah B
As a frequent traveler on this sector, this is worrying. The DGCA data is telling. After the June incident, it seems Air India Express is playing it very safe, which is good, but they're losing market share. A tough balance to strike.
K
Karthik V
At least they are being transparent and offering full options. I remember a time when airlines would just cancel and leave you stranded. Progress, albeit slow. Hope the technical snags reduce with Tata's management.
N
Nikhil C
The winter fog in North India plus these technical issues... travel planning is becoming a nightmare. The one-time free change policy is a bare minimum, not a perk. Airlines need more robust contingency plans.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50