‘Becoming A Norm’: 3-Hour Air India Flight Delay Irks Supriya Sule, Aviation Minister Reacts

Last Updated:June 17, 2025, 21:35 is

Supriya Sule slammed Air India after her flight was delayed by over three hours, saying such delays were becoming a norm with the airline and that travellers deserved better.

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule hit out at Air India after her Delhi-Pune flight was delayed by over three hours, saying that there was no communication or assistance from the airline and urging the Central government to intervene.

“Travelling from Delhi to Pune on @airindia flight AI 2971. The flight is delayed by over 3 hours — no clear communication, no updates, no assistance and very bad service,” Sule said on X.

Sule said such delays and mismanagement were becoming the norm with Air India and that travellers deserved better. “Passengers are left stranded and helpless. This apathy is unacceptable. Urging @RamMNK, @MoCA_GoI to intervene and hold the airline accountable.”

Flight cancellations and delays have come under intense scrutiny after the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash last week, where 241 passengers were killed, along with 29 others on the ground. The Indian government has initiated a probe into the incident.

ALSO READ: Air India Cancels 6 International Flights As Dreamliners Undergo Checks After Ahmedabad Crash

Central Govt Responds To Sule

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu told Sule that he had spoken to the airline and airport authorities to address the concerns of all affected passengers.

“@supriya_sule ji, I’ve spoken to the airline and airport authorities. They’ve been asked to urgently address the concerns of all affected passengers.”

Responding to Sule’s complaint, Air India said it was addressing the issue. “Dear Honourable Minister, we acknowledge your concern. Our colleagues are addressing the issue. All impacted passengers are being assisted. We regret the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen delay,” it said.

In a later statement, the airline said flight operations were affected due to extreme weather conditions, “Dear Ma’am, due to adverse weather conditions in Delhi, flight operations have been significantly impacted. This includes diversions and airborne holding for several flights. Please be assured that our teams are fully engaged in assisting all affected customers. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused.”

Air India’s crisis deepened after last week’s crash in Ahmedabad, as its flights have seen a string of flight returns, technical issues, and delays caused by crew duty limits. The airline cancelled seven international flights, including six operated by Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, as part of precautionary checks on its Dreamliner fleet.

Recently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and aviation authorities from India, the UK, and the US have launched a joint investigation and mandated a full inspection of Air India’s entire Dreamliner fleet in the aftermath of the Ahmedabad tragedy.

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More

First Published: