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What was meant to be a routine flight from Milan to Delhi has stretched into an exhausting, uncertain wait of more than 36 hours for many Air India passengers. Their ordeal began in Italy and is continuing in Switzerland.
It started in Milan
On the night of August 16, passengers boarded Air India flight AI138 from Milan to Delhi. They remained inside the aircraft for nearly three hours, waiting for departure. Then, close to 1 am, came the announcement: "The flight would not take off".
The airline later explained that a technical fault during pushback had forced the cancellation, and by then, the crew had also run out of duty time. Passengers were given hotel accommodation, alternate flight options, or refunds — whatever they opted.
Passengers reached the hotel at 4 am and were told they would be rerouted via Zurich on Swiss Air, and from there flown on to Delhi by Air India. The relief was short-lived.
In Zurich, on August 17, the onward flight AI152 to Delhi was also cancelled. Again, the reason given was technical trouble. With Zurich Airport under a strict night curfew, the flight could not be pushed to later in the evening.
An Air India spokesperson said in a statement, "Flight AI152 scheduled to operate from Zurich to Delhi on August 17
has been cancelled due to a technical reason, and subsequently due to night curfew in Zurich. We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers and have made alternative arrangements to fly them to their destination. We are providing hotel accommodation and also offering full refunds on cancellations or complimentary rescheduling if opted by the passengers."
Passengers left in limbo
On the ground, however, many felt abandoned. A wheelchair-bound passenger told CNBC-TV18 that she had been left without support or
even basic assistance.
"My visa has expired, so I cannot even go out," she explained. "The airport was completely shut last night, no airline staff, no restaurant, no shop open. No wheelchair was available."
With bags withheld, even getting a meal became impossible.
"I haven't had food since 4 pm yesterday, nor do I have energy or strength to look for it," she said.
The uncertainty has taken a toll on her health and peace of mind. "I don't even feel fit to fly anymore," she admitted. "My insurance and visa are expired. I
don't know what to even do."
36 hours and counting
From being deplaned in Milan in the early hours of August 17, to waiting through the Zurich cancellation the following night, the group has now been stranded for more than 36 hours. For elderly travellers, those with medical needs, and families with children, the experience has been especially distressing.
This is not the only Air India flight as several international flights have encountered similar problems. The back-to-back cancellations also raise questions over
persistent technical snags on Air India's international routes. The airline has previously maintained that its own safety inspections and fleet checks have not revealed any systemic issues. Yet repeated groundings like the Milan and Zurich episodes show how technical problems continue to disrupt schedules and erode passenger confidence.
It started in Milan
On the night of August 16, passengers boarded Air India flight AI138 from Milan to Delhi. They remained inside the aircraft for nearly three hours, waiting for departure. Then, close to 1 am, came the announcement: "The flight would not take off".
The airline later explained that a technical fault during pushback had forced the cancellation, and by then, the crew had also run out of duty time. Passengers were given hotel accommodation, alternate flight options, or refunds — whatever they opted.
Passengers reached the hotel at 4 am and were told they would be rerouted via Zurich on Swiss Air, and from there flown on to Delhi by Air India. The relief was short-lived.
In Zurich, on August 17, the onward flight AI152 to Delhi was also cancelled. Again, the reason given was technical trouble. With Zurich Airport under a strict night curfew, the flight could not be pushed to later in the evening.
An Air India spokesperson said in a statement, "Flight AI152 scheduled to operate from Zurich to Delhi on August 17
Passengers left in limbo
On the ground, however, many felt abandoned. A wheelchair-bound passenger told CNBC-TV18 that she had been left without support or
"My visa has expired, so I cannot even go out," she explained. "The airport was completely shut last night, no airline staff, no restaurant, no shop open. No wheelchair was available."
With bags withheld, even getting a meal became impossible.
"I haven't had food since 4 pm yesterday, nor do I have energy or strength to look for it," she said.
The uncertainty has taken a toll on her health and peace of mind. "I don't even feel fit to fly anymore," she admitted. "My insurance and visa are expired. I
36 hours and counting
From being deplaned in Milan in the early hours of August 17, to waiting through the Zurich cancellation the following night, the group has now been stranded for more than 36 hours. For elderly travellers, those with medical needs, and families with children, the experience has been especially distressing.
This is not the only Air India flight as several international flights have encountered similar problems. The back-to-back cancellations also raise questions over
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