“Never Taking This Flight Again”: Passengers Angry as Air India Express Returns 16 Minutes After Take-Off

New Delhi: An Air India Express flight bound for Phuket had to return to Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport shortly after takeoff on Saturday due to a technical issue. The flight, which was supposed to land in Phuket at 11:45 AM, was operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8. It took off for its destination but returned to Hyderabad just 16 minutes later, leaving passengers frustrated.

An Air India Express spokesperson issued a statement saying that the flight crew exercised extreme caution and decided to return to Hyderabad due to a technical snag. The spokesperson added, “We arranged an alternate aircraft on priority, refreshments were provided to guests during the delay, and the flight has since departed. We regret the inconvenience caused and reiterate that safety is our top priority in every aspect of our operations.”

Passengers took to social media to share their frustrating experience, saying they had to wait inside the aircraft without any clear communication from the airline. One affected passenger posted on social platform X, “Flight IX110 from Hyderabad to Phuket returned after take-off. Still no update, we are waiting inside the plane. Disappointing.”

Another passenger wrote, “Thank you, Air India Express, for making me realize that I should never take your flight again in the future.”

In an earlier post on X, the airline apologized for the inconvenience caused due to the flight disruption.

The airline added, “Please note that the delay was due to technical reasons, as the safety of our guests remains our topmost priority. We are working to resolve the issue and are currently awaiting an updated ETD. Our team will keep you informed and provide necessary assistance regarding the revised departure time. We sincerely apologize once again and look forward to offering you a better experience on your next journey with us.”