More than 250 passengers aiming to celebrate Diwali in India faced a major setback when Air India flight AI138 from Milan to New Delhi was abruptly cancelled on Friday. The sudden grounding of the aircraft left 256 passengers and 10 crew members in limbo, with their journey home for the Festival of Lights severely impacted. Air India cited an ‘extended technical requirement’ and a ‘mechanical problem’ as the reasons for the cancellation, stressing a commitment to safety.
To mitigate the impact, Air India has arranged for hotel stays for all affected passengers. The airline admitted that securing accommodation near the airport proved challenging due to limited availability, leading to arrangements in surrounding areas. Crucially, a passenger facing an imminent Schengen visa expiry was rebooked on a different airline’s flight to ensure timely departure. Air India has apologized for the considerable inconvenience and affirmed its dedication to assisting all stranded travelers, including providing vegetarian meals.