An Air India Express flight heading to Kolkata ran into an unexpected hiccup on Saturday, leaving passengers stranded on the runway for over an hour. Flight IX 1511 was ready for takeoff from Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad when a sudden technical snag brought everything to a halt.
The crew detected the issue just before departure. The plane had to remain grounded while engineers worked to resolve it. The delay left many fliers frustrated, though the airline later apologised and offered full refunds or free rescheduling.
Technical Issue Grounds Flight IX 1511 on Runway
The aircraft had already taxied and was moments away from takeoff when the crew noticed something wasn’t right. While the exact nature of the technical snag hasn’t been revealed, airport officials said the pilots flagged the issue just in time, leading to engineers being called in on the spot.
Hindon Airport, usually known for its defence operations, has only recently started handling civilian flights.
This delay is a bit of a blow to its efforts to establish itself as an alternative to Delhi’s crowded IGI Airport. This is especially better for regional travellers.
Airline Responds with Apology and Options for Affected Passengers
Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, issued a statement addressing the incident. “Our Hindon-Kolkata flight operated, with a delay, due to a snag on the originally assigned aircraft.
Guests were offered complimentary rescheduling or cancellation with a full refund. We regret the inconvenience,” said a spokesperson for the airline.
Passengers were understandably frustrated by the delay, though many appreciated the airline’s quick response and refund offer. The issue was handled smoothly on the ground, and the flight took off once engineers gave the green light.
Airline staff said last-minute snags like this, while rare, must be fixed right away. This is required for safety and to ensure passengers’ comfort.
