Passenger Complaints Emerge After Air India Cancels Flight for Indian Cricket Team
New York/New Delhi, 4th July 2024: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has requested a comprehensive report from Air India following complaints that the airline cancelled a scheduled New York to Delhi flight to accommodate the Indian cricket team travelling from Bridgetown, Barbados. This change reportedly caused inconvenience to passengers in New York who had to make alternative arrangements.
The T20 World Cup-winning team was delayed in Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl and eventually flew home on Wednesday from Grantley Adams International Airport on a chartered flight with a special call sign, AIC24WC – Air India Champions 24 World Cup.
An Air India representative stated that passengers did not face any inconvenience due to the aircraft substitution. They claimed that most passengers scheduled for the Delhi flight were notified in advance, although a few who were not informed arrived at the airport. These passengers were then transported by road to a nearby airport and accommodated on the next available flight.
However, passengers presented a different account. “Air India is lying. I am one of the affected passengers and was not offered any alternative to travel on partner airlines,” wrote Ankur Verma. Another passenger, Ajay Awtaney, complained about the last-minute cancellation, sharing a screenshot of his cancelled New York-Delhi flight.
According to DGCA regulations, airlines operating non-scheduled international flights must not disrupt scheduled operations. The rule states, “For operation of charter flights by scheduled operators, there shall be no disruption to their scheduled flights.”
Just covering the “if this true” part https://t.co/lJmWVAOS9Y pic.twitter.com/fj2X5baNd7
— Ajay Awtaney (@LiveFromALounge) July 3, 2024
The special chartered flight carrying the Indian cricket team departed at approximately 4:50 am local time on Wednesday and landed in New Delhi on Thursday at around 7 AM IST. The team and support staff were greeted by a large group of fans and had a day planned, including a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and an open-bus parade in Mumbai in the evening.
