Air India Flight Diverted to Shannon After Technical Issue; Passenger Care Draws Criticism

Shannon: An Air India flight travelling from New York to Delhi was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Shannon Airport after a technical issue was detected mid-flight.

Flight AI102 was diverted on March 15 as a precautionary measure after crew reported unusual vibrations and noise from the aircraft. The airline stated that the decision was taken in line with established safety protocols, and the aircraft required further technical inspection.

Passengers Stranded for Over 34 Hours

Passengers remained stranded in Shannon for more than 34 hours, as delays occurred in arranging an alternative flight. The situation led to widespread criticism on social media.

Air India said affected passengers were provided with hotel accommodation and assistance, and were later transported to Delhi on a special flight via Zurich.

Complaints Over Food and Arrangements

Despite the arrangements, several passengers raised concerns about the quality and coordination of support services, particularly food distribution.

Key complaints included:

• Significant delays in food delivery
• Insufficient quantity of meals
• Limited options for special dietary needs, including vegetarian meals
• Lack of clear communication regarding meal distribution

Passengers reported confusion over when and how food would be provided, which added to their discomfort during the extended delay.

Air India maintained that all necessary measures were taken to ensure passenger safety and welfare.

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