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News18
3 days ago
- News18
13 Passengers Booked Flight Tickets In Gujarat, Air India Put Them In A Car Instead
Last Updated: Air India passengers at Bhuj Airport were denied boarding despite valid tickets due to an aircraft change, causing missed connections and passenger outrage An unexpected disruption involving Air India left several passengers stranded at Bhuj Airport in Gujarat on Saturday morning. Thirteen travellers, all with confirmed tickets, were unable to board their scheduled flight. While some passengers were not issued boarding passes, others who received them were later informed that no seats were available. Several of the affected passengers had travelled from remote parts of the Kutch district to board the flight, only to be informed of the issue at the airport. The disruption appears to have stemmed from a last-minute operational adjustment by the airline. What Happened At Bhuj Airport? Flight AI609, scheduled to depart from Bhuj to Mumbai at 8:55am, experienced confusion during the boarding process. Some passengers who had completed check-in and received boarding passes were later told they could not be accommodated on the flight. At around 8:15am, a number of passengers approached the airline counter seeking clarification. According to reports, they did not receive a clear explanation at the time. Official Response and Passenger Accounts Bhuj Airport Director Anurag Vaishnav confirmed that Air India later arranged alternative travel options for the affected passengers. Times of India quoted a passenger as saying that although he had completed web check-in and arrived on time, he was not assigned a seat. 'My two-year-old son and wife were with me. My brother and sister-in-law got seats on another flight, but I did not," he said. He added that the issue arose due to a change in aircraft. 'The staff informed us that, due to technical reasons, a smaller A320 aircraft had replaced the A321 from Mumbai, resulting in fewer available seats." Alternative Arrangements According to passenger accounts, Air India offered to transport those affected by car to Ahmedabad and then fly them to Mumbai later in the day. One traveller declined the offer due to scheduling constraints and instead arranged an alternative flight from Kandla with assistance from an acquaintance. Some passengers reported missing onward connections in Mumbai, and there were concerns raised about the lack of prior communication regarding the aircraft change. Air India's Statement According to the TOI report, Air India issued the following clarification: 'On flight AI609 scheduled from Bhuj to Mumbai, an A320 aircraft replaced the A321 due to technical reasons, leading to some passengers not getting seats. We have arranged alternatives, such as reallocating seats to other flights and providing car transport. We regret the inconvenience caused and appreciate the passengers' cooperation." view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 08:59 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
13 flyers left without seats at Bhuj, see red
Rajkot: Tempers flared at Bhuj airport on Saturday morning when 13 passengers were not allowed to board an Air India flight to Mumbai. The passengers, many of whom had travelled from remote parts of Kutch with luggage, were suddenly left stranded. According to sources at the airport, the Air India flight was to leave for Mumbai at 8.55am. During the boarding process, several passengers were made to wait while others were allowed to board. Confusion grew when the airline workers disappeared from the counter. By 8.15am, the frustrated passengers began questioning why they weren't given their boarding passes. Airport security tried to manage the situation and as the passengers grew angrier, they called in the airline staff. The airline staff initially told the passengers that they had been late. The arguments continued as many asserted that they had arrived on time. In-charge airport director Anurag Vaishnav said, "Air India officials will be able to explain what happened. What I do know is that they made alternative travel arrangements for the affected passengers." Meet Thakkar, one of the affected passengers, said he arrived at the airport with his wife, two-year-old son, brother, and sister-in-law. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like "혈액순환 대박입니다!'' 특허 받은 '이것',,면역력, 혈행, 활력 싹~ 20대처럼 가뿐해져!! 카이스트 건강비결 더 알아보기 Undo "We all reached together. My brother and sister-in-law had done their web check-in and were allowed to board. I was refused a boarding pass at the airport counter. The staff later admitted that the aircraft that had arrived from Mumbai was smaller and had fewer seats than the number of tickets booked," he told TOI. Thakkar said the airline offered a car to Ahmedabad and and an evening flight to Mumbai, but he declined the offer due to time constraints. "I needed to reach Mumbai today. I spent my own money to book a flight from Kandla and made it on time," he said. Many of the other passengers missed connecting flights from Mumbai and lashed out at the airline for mismanagement and poor communication. An Air India spokesperson told TOI: "The aircraft scheduled to operate AI609 from Bhuj to Mumbai on Saturday was downgraded from an A321 to A320 due to operational reasons. A few passengers could thus not board the flight. Our team at Bhuj arranged alternatives for the affected passengers, including rebooking them on other flights to their destinations according to individual preferences. We regret the inconvenience caused to the affected passengers and thank them for their understanding. "
