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NEW DELHI- Australian cricketer David Warner criticized Air India (AI) after being stranded onboard a flight without pilots at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR). The incident occurred amid severe weather disruptions that affected multiple airlines and caused widespread delays.
On March 22, heavy rainfall and strong winds in Bengaluru led to the diversion of 19 flights and delays for over 10 others. Air India attributed the issue to adverse weather conditions impacting crew availability, further intensifying passenger frustration.
Photo: EurospotDavid Warner Blames Air India
Warner took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his complaint against Air India (AI), questioning their decision to board passengers despite pilot unavailability.
“@airindia we’ve boarded a plane with no pilots and waiting on the plane for hours. Why would you board passengers knowing that you have no pilots for the flight? ,” Warner tweeted, highlighting the ordeal faced by passengers.
@airindia we’ve boarded a plane with no pilots and waiting on the plane for hours. Why would you board passengers knowing that you have no pilots for the flight?
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 22, 2025
His tweet quickly gained traction, drawing reactions from travelers and aviation enthusiasts alike.
In response to Warner’s complaint, Air India (AI) attributed the delay to operational disruptions caused by severe weather in Bengaluru (BLR).
The airline clarified that the flight crew was delayed due to prior flight diversions and unavoidable schedule changes.
“Dear Mr. Warner, today’s challenging weather in Bengaluru caused diversions and delays across all airlines. The crew operating your flight was held up on an earlier assignment affected by these disruptions, which led to a delay in departure. We appreciate your patience and thank you for choosing to fly with us,” the airline said.
Dear Mr. Warner, today’s challenging weather in Bengaluru caused diversions and delays across all airlines. The crew operating your flight was held up on an earlier assignment affected by these disruptions, which led to a delay in departure. We appreciate your patience and thank…
— Air India (@airindia) March 22, 2025
Photo: Robin HARDYBengaluru Unpredicted Weather
Bengaluru has been experiencing unpredictable weather patterns, and Saturday’s storm significantly impacted air travel.
The unseasonal heavy rainfall, accompanied by gusty winds, threw flight schedules into chaos. Several flights struggled to land on time, leading to congestion at the airport.
Passengers at the terminal faced extended waiting periods as airlines worked to reschedule flights affected by diversions.
Reports suggest that while the rain has brought down temperatures, it has also resulted in waterlogging in several parts of the city.
- At least 19 flights were diverted to alternate airports, including those operated by IndiGo (6E), Air India Express (IX), Akasa Air (QP), and Air India (AI).
- Over 10 flights experienced significant delays.
- Ground handling and rescheduling efforts were affected, leading to further inconvenience for travelers.
The unseasonal storm also caused waterlogging in several areas of Bengaluru, adding to commuter woes.
While the rain helped lower temperatures, it intensified disruptions for air and road traffic alike.
Photo: By Kambui – Air India Airbus A321-211 VT-PPO, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58290476Similar Incident
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) leader and Baramati MP Supriya Sule recently criticized Air India (AI) over repeated flight delays.
Expressing her frustration on social media, she pointed out that passengers pay premium fares yet continue to experience unreliable services.
Supriya Sule urged Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu to address the issue and implement stricter regulations to prevent recurring delays.
She also called for improved service standards and accountability for airlines.
Taking to X, Sule wrote, “I was travelling on Air India flight AI0508, which was delayed by 1 hour and 19 minutes, part of a continuous trend of delays affecting passengers. This is unacceptable.
Urging Hon’ble Civil Aviation Minister @RamMNK to enforce stricter regulations to hold airlines like @airindia accountable for repeated delays and ensure better service standards for passengers.”
She further stated, “Air India flights are endlessly delayed — this is unacceptable! We pay premium fares, yet flights are never on time.
Professionals, children, and senior citizens — all affected by this constant mismanagement. Urging the Civil Aviation Minister to take action and hold Air India accountable.”
Photo: Air IndiaLessons For Future
The incident involving David Warner serves as a reminder of the importance of robust contingency planning in aviation.
Airlines must balance operational efficiency with passenger experience, especially during unpredictable weather events.
Transparent communication, proactive measures, and investment in technology are critical to enhancing resilience in the face of growing climate-related challenges.
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