To accommodate travellers, Air India is providing alternatives and passengers can either opt for rebooking on other Air India group services that operate on the same or adjacent days. Additionally, the airline is offering complimentary date change for future flights or the option for a full refund.
The cancellations come at a time when demand for air travel typically surges amid the festive season, creating issues for travellers who have already planned trips to the US. The airline said that it was working towards resolving maintenance issues and minimising disruption for passengers.
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The carrier told CNBC-TV18, “Due to the delayed return of some aircraft from heavy maintenance and supply chain constraints resulting in a temporary reduction in operating fleet, Air India regrets that a small number of flights have been cancelled between now and end-December. Affected customers have been informed and offered flights on other Air India group services operating on the same or adjacent days, a free change to any other date or a full refund. Air India sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused by this constraint beyond our control.”
#CNBCTV18Exclusive | #AirIndia to cancel several flights to US amid peak winter season.
At least 60 flights to be cancelled on India- US routes, Air India’s flight cancellations on US routes on the back of shortage of aircraft pic.twitter.com/hCTFuEkk4v— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) October 30, 2024
Air India has assured customers that it is working towards providing solutions to ensure a smooth experience for travellers. Passengers have been requested to reach out to Air India’s customer service for further assistance and to learn about their flight status.
As winter travel begins, those planning a trip to the US with Air India are advised to make bookings carefully. The airline has been plagued with issues that some other Indian airlines are facing. On October 29, a message claiming a bomb had been placed on Air India’s flight from Delhi to Mumbai via Indore was posted on a social media platform which later turned out to be hoax, police said on October 29. The Indore police in Madhya Pradesh registered a case in this connection against an unidentified person.
A message shared on social media platform X read that a pipe bomb was placed on Air India’s flight AI 636 at 5.08 pm on Tuesday, an Aerodrome police station officer said quoting a complaint by an official of the airline. The flight, arriving from Delhi, had already left for Mumbai from Indore at 4.38 pm, he said.
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“The message about a pipe bomb being placed on the Air India flight proved to be fake in our investigation,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Vinod Kumar Meena told PTI.
A case was registered against an unidentified person under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita section 351 (4) (criminal intimidation by concealing identity), he said, adding that further investigation was underway.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
First Published: Oct 30, 2024 6:53 PM IST