In yet another episode of passenger dissatisfaction with Air India, Dr. Gaurang Joshi, a Rajkot-based passenger, shared a viral video expressing his frustration following the abrupt cancellation of Air India flight AI 188 from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Delhi. The incident left passengers stranded, exasperated, and, according to Dr. Joshi, poorly treated by airline staff.
The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 1 p.m., faced multiple delays amounting to over six hours. Passengers, including Dr. Joshi and his fellow travellers Chirag Barot from Mumbai, Ritvik Patel and Yash Shah from Anand, were initially notified of the delays through emails and messages from the airline. However, after boarding the aircraft around 7 p.m., they waited an additional 45 minutes without any movement. The plane was briefly moved towards the runway, only to return to its parking position. Passengers were later informed that a technical fault had forced the cancellation of the flight.
Dr. Joshi’s video details the ordeal. He alleges that the airline staff failed to provide clear communication or adequate support. “The crew offered no proper answers when we enquired about the delay,” Dr. Joshi stated. “Following the cancellation, the local manager was unprofessional and dismissive, even claiming that no refunds would be issued.”
The incident follows closely on the heels of another recent Air India mishap, the Ahmedabad-London flight crash, which heightened passenger concerns. The technical fault that led to the cancellation of flight AI 188 particularly alarmed some passengers, with 15 opting to disembark the aircraft due to safety concerns, citing the recent Air India flight crash. These passengers demanded refunds and accommodation, noting that international regulations typically entitle passengers to compensation and hotel stays for delays exceeding six hours. However, Dr. Joshi reported that the airline manager at Toronto Airport was uncooperative and refused to address their concerns.
Air India has not issued an official statement regarding the incident, leaving passengers like Dr. Joshi to voice their grievances publicly. The lack of transparency and reported mistreatment have fuelled growing criticism of the airline’s handling of such situations, raising questions about its commitment to passenger care.
Note: this article is written based on a video received by Deshwale. More information, its authenticity and Air India’s official statement are awaited.
