DUBAI // An Air India Express flight from Trivandrum to Dubai had to turn back after only a few minutes on Tuesday because of technical problems.
The low-cost airline’s IX 539 flight, due to leave India at 4.30pm, was delayed by more than two hours before it took off but was then forced to return to Trivandrum.
“After it was airborne it was returned to bay due to technical issues,” said Rajender Kumar, airport manager in charge of Air India Express in the UAE.
A replacement aircraft arrived in Dubai on Wednesday at 7am. But the delay disrupted travel plans for 158 passengers, who were due to leave at 8.10pm on Tuesday.
Some passengers were transferred to an Air India Express flight from Sharjah Airport.
The Indian government’s airline, which has been running at a loss, has been marred by poor service, poor communication and delays.
Last year, passengers on Air India Express flight IX 452, flying from Abu Dhabi to Kochi, were forced to sit in the aircraft for nine hours without food or water after the flight was diverted to Trivandrum due to bad weather.
The pilot raised a hijack alarm after angry passengers stormed her cabin.
pkannan@thenational.ae
