New Delhi, June 3 - On May 31, 2025, passengers aboard Air India Flight AI2382 from Delhi to Singapore faced an exasperating ordeal when their journey was disrupted by a technical glitch that led to two aborted take-off attempts and an 8.5-hour delay. The Airbus A321, scheduled to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) at 12:55 PM, left the gate slightly ahead of schedule at 12:47 PM. However, what began as a routine flight quickly turned into a frustrating experience for over 100 passengers, including senior citizens and international students, as the aircraft encountered persistent technical issues that grounded it for hours.
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The trouble began shortly after the plane left the gate. As the aircraft prepared for its first take-off attempt, a technical malfunction forced the captain to abort the maneuver. Passengers, already seated and anticipating departure, were informed of the issue but remained on board as maintenance crews worked to resolve the problem. After several hours, a second take-off attempt was made, but the aircraft moved only 10 meters from the parking bay before the same issue resurfaced, prompting the captain to abort the take-off once again. The plane was returned to the gate, and passengers were kept inside the aircraft for over four hours before being deplaned and shuttled back to Terminal 3 of the airport. The prolonged confinement, particularly for senior citizens, added to the physical discomfort, with limited refreshments provided during this time—some passengers reported receiving only popcorn initially.
The delay in addressing passenger needs extended beyond the aircraft. Full meals were not provided until 6:45 PM, nearly six hours after the scheduled departure time, which was particularly challenging for passengers like Sahaj Agarwal, who required food to take medication. International students, such as Abhiraj Singh from the National University of Singapore, faced additional stress due to disrupted travel plans and missed connections, amplifying the financial and emotional toll. Air India eventually arranged for a replacement aircraft, and the flight departed at 9:25 PM, landing in Singapore later that night. The airline offered rescheduling options and refunds, but the incident raised concerns about maintenance protocols and passenger care during extended disruptions.
This event underscores broader challenges in aviation, where technical reliability and effective communication are critical. The lack of timely updates and inadequate provisioning of food and water highlighted gaps in Air India’s contingency planning. For passengers, the ordeal was a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in air travel, where unforeseen technical issues can cascade into significant delays. Air India issued an apology, acknowledging the technical malfunction, but the incident left many travelers questioning the airline’s operational preparedness and commitment to passenger welfare during such disruptions.