New Delhi
On Friday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show cause notice to Air India after two flights were delayed, causing passenger discomfort due to inadequate cooling in the aircraft.
The DGCA noted that Flight AI-179 (Mumbai to San Francisco) on May 24, 2024, and Flight AI-183 (Delhi to San Francisco) on May 30, 2024, were significantly delayed, causing passenger discomfort due to insufficient cabin cooling. The notice highlighted repeated incidents of passenger discomfort on Air India flights, citing violations of various DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) provisions.
The DGCA stated that Air India had breached Para 3.4 and Para 3.8 of CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV, which outlines facilities to be provided to passengers in cases of denied boarding, flight cancellations, and delays. The notice criticized Air India for repeatedly failing to care for passengers and comply with these CAR provisions.
Air India has been asked to explain why enforcement action should not be taken against the airline for these violations. The airline must respond within three days from the notice’s issuance, or the matter will proceed ex-parte.
A passenger on Air India’s Delhi-San Francisco flight reported that several passengers fainted due to the lack of cooling after an eight-hour delay. Journalist Shweta Punj, who shared the incident on social media, described the ordeal on Flight AI-183, where passengers endured hours without proper air-conditioning.
