Air India’s non-stop flight from Delhi to San Francisco, carrying 225 passengers and 19 crew members, was diverted to Russia’s Krasnoyarsk International Airport (KJA) on Thursday. The diversion was due to a technical issue detected in the cargo hold area. The airline explained that the cockpit crew of flight AI183 took this precautionary measure after receiving an alert about a potential problem.
Safe Disembarkation and Immediate Measures
Following the precautionary landing, all passengers and crew were safely disembarked and taken to the terminal building. Air India assured that the health, safety, and security of everyone on board are their top priorities.
Air India’s Immediate Response
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Air India expressed concern for the passengers stranded at Krasnoyarsk Krai. The airline is making swift arrangements for a ferry flight to transport the passengers to their intended destination, San Francisco, as soon as possible.
“All of us at Air India are concerned about the passengers and staff and are making every effort possible to operate the ferry flight as soon as possible,” stated the airline.
Challenges at Krasnoyarsk International Airport
Air India faces additional challenges as it lacks its own staff at Krasnoyarsk International Airport. Consequently, the airline is working to arrange third-party support to provide necessary assistance to the passengers. The airline is also in close contact with government agencies and regulatory authorities to expedite the arrangements for the ferry flight.
Previous Incident on the Same Route
This incident is not the first time an Air India flight on the Delhi-San Francisco route has been diverted to Russia. On June 6, 2023, another Boeing 777-200LR aircraft operating the same route was diverted to the Russian port city of Magadan due to a technical glitch in one of its engines. That flight carried 216 passengers and 16 crew members, who were accommodated in a school for two days before a replacement flight arrived from Mumbai to transport them to San Francisco.
Awaiting Resolution
The current situation at Krasnoyarsk International Airport is being closely monitored. Air India is working diligently to ensure that the passengers stranded in Russia reach their final destination safely and promptly. The airline’s commitment to addressing the issue highlights its dedication to passenger safety and satisfaction.
(With inputs from agencies)
