Air India cancels Toronto flight - after hours of misery

NEW DELHI - Air India Tuesday abruptly axed a flight to Toronto in Canada after first delaying boarding and then making the passengers wait in the aircraft for hours while the cabin crew walked out, a passenger said.

Air India flight 187 was scheduled to take off from the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 1.45 a.m. but the passengers were let into the plane only two hours later on the promise that it would take off at 4 a.m.

But once the passengers occupied their seats, their agony began, said Meera Ramchand from Bangalore who was on the aircraft.

“After about half hour, five members of the crew walked out saying their duty hours were coming to an end as the flight had been unduly delayed,” Ramchand told IANS.

“Then the pilot announced that they were waiting for 30 passengers from Amritsar… No one came though. At about 6, they served us meals, promising the plane would take off.

“Naturally, everyone was angry. People protested… No one knew what was going on. The worst-hit were the elderly and those with children. Instead of coming to our help, the other crew members also threatened to walk out. It was strange,” she said.

“Now, just before 8 a.m., they announced that the flight has been cancelled due to commercial and operational reasons. No one is telling us what we are to do or how we will proceed to Canada and when,” Ramchand said.

Air India officials could not be reached for comment.