Air India Flight from Milan to Delhi Cancelled Over Technical Snag, 256 Passengers Stranded Before Diwali

Over 250 passengers bound for Delhi to celebrate Diwali with their families were left stranded in Italy after Air India abruptly cancelled its Milan–Delhi flight AI138 on Friday evening.

The Boeing aircraft, scheduled to carry 256 passengers and 10 crew members, was grounded after the airline detected what it called an “extended technical requirement.” Air India said the cancellation was necessary to “prioritise the safety of all passengers and crew.”

⚙️ Technical snag halts flight operations

According to Air India, engineers found a technical issue during pre-flight checks that could not be resolved immediately. “Flight AI138 from Milan to Delhi on 17 October was cancelled due to an extended technical requirement on the aircraft scheduled to operate the flight, prioritising safety,” the airline said in an official statement.

🏨 Accommodation and rebookings arranged

All affected passengers were provided with hotel accommodation and meals, though the airline acknowledged that limited hotel availability near the airport forced it to book hotels farther away. Air India also confirmed that one passenger with a Schengen visa expiring on October 20 was rebooked on another airline’s flight to ensure visa compliance.

🙏 Air India issues apology

“Air India continues to provide all necessary ground assistance, including meals, to all affected passengers. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and reaffirm our commitment to the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew,” the airline added.

✈️ Diwali travel rush disrupted

The cancellation has disrupted travel plans for hundreds of Indians hoping to reach home before Diwali celebrations on October 20, adding to the holiday season travel stress.

Originally published on newsworldstime.com.