Passengers travelling on Air India flight AI1851 from Mumbai to Delhi experienced tense moments on Wednesday afternoon after their aircraft did not depart as scheduled. The flight, which was slated to take off at 3:25 pm, remained stationary for about 45 minutes beyond its departure time. According to updates shared by ANI, passengers were left waiting inside the plane without any definite information about the delay. Travellers reportedly grew uneasy as no formal explanation was relayed while the aircraft continued to remain grounded.
Several passengers turned to social media to express dissatisfaction over the absence of timely communication from the airline crew. Many users questioned why no announcements were made to clarify the situation, arguing that such silence only heightened anxiety among those onboard. One individual commented that India’s aviation sector requires urgent improvements and stricter regulatory supervision to prevent similar incidents. Another flyer stressed that airlines should value passengers’ time just as they value ticket revenue. However, a few users minimised the episode, suggesting that delays of around 45 minutes are fairly routine, particularly during busy flight operations.
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The situation also triggered a debate online regarding the aircraft’s exact location during the delay. Some aviation enthusiasts pointed out that an aircraft cannot occupy Mumbai’s main runway for such an extended period without affecting overall airport movement, proposing that the plane was likely positioned on a taxiway instead. Others emphasised that regardless of location, keeping passengers informed is a basic safety and service requirement. A user even urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India to examine the matter promptly. So far, the airline has not issued an official explanation for the delay.