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Air India Express Flight Cancelled: Pilot Detects Technical Issue Amid Safety Scare

An Air India Express flight between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam was cancelled for safety reasons. The pilot identified a technical issue before takeoff, prompting the decision. Passengers on the grounded flight were quickly provided with hotel accommodations and refund options. This incident comes shortly after another Air India Express flight was diverted due to suspected tyre damage.

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

  • Flight cancelled after pilot detected a technical issue during pre-departure safety checks
  • Affected passengers were offered hotel stays, refreshments, and full refunds
  • This follows another recent incident where a flight diverted due to suspected tyre damage
  • The airline has also issued weather advisories for potential fog-related disruptions
2 min read

Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam flight cancelled over safety concerns: Air India Express

An Air India Express flight was cancelled after a pilot detected a technical issue during pre-departure checks. Passengers were provided accommodations and refund options.

"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, Dec 19

An Air India Express flight operating between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam was cancelled after the pilot detected a technical issue before departure, the airline said on Friday.

In a statement, Air India Express said that the aircraft returned to the ramp in the interest of safety after the issue was identified during pre-departure checks.

Following this, the flight was cancelled as a precautionary measure.

“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,” an Air India Express spokesperson said.

“Guests were promptly provided with hotel accommodation and refreshments. Guests were also offered options, including a full refund or complimentary rescheduling,” the spokesperson added.

The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and reiterated that passenger safety remains paramount in all aspects of its operations.

In a separate recent incident reported earlier this week, an Air India Express flight from Jeddah to Kozhikode was diverted to Kochi after suspected damage to the aircraft’s tyre, likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah Airport.

The aircraft made a safe landing in Kochi, with emergency procedures activated as a precaution.

“Our Jeddah-Kozhikode flight was diverted to Kochi and made a precautionary landing due to suspected damage to the aircraft’s tyre likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah airport,” the airline stated.

All passengers were safely escorted to the terminal and later connected to Kozhikode by road.

Meanwhile, the airline has in recent weeks issued advisories to passengers regarding possible disruptions due to weather conditions.

Earlier this month, the airline warned that fog at select airports in North India could impact flight schedules, affecting services on several domestic and international routes.

Passengers impacted by such disruptions were offered a one-time flight change without additional charges or a full refund.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This is the second incident with Air India Express in a week? First Jeddah, now Vijayawada. While I appreciate the safety focus, it does raise questions about maintenance checks. Hope DGCA is looking into this.
A
Aman W
Traveling between Vijayawada and Vizag is common for business. Such cancellations cause major schedule disruptions. The refund is fine, but lost time and meetings can't be refunded. Airlines need more reliable aircraft on these routes.
S
Sarah B
As a frequent flyer in India, I've seen this happen with multiple carriers. The real test is how they treat passengers afterwards. Offering hotel, refreshments, and rescheduling is the bare minimum standard, not a bonus. Glad they did it right here.
K
Karthik V
The pilot did the right thing by not taking any chances. Andhra Pradesh routes are crucial for connectivity. Hope the technical snag is fixed properly and not just patched up for the next flight. Passenger safety is indeed paramount.
N
Nisha Z
With fog season starting in North India, we can expect more disruptions. Passengers should always check advisories before heading to the airport. It's a hassle, but weather is beyond anyone's control. Stay safe, everyone!

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