Air India sorry for flight stalled in Russia, offers full refund
Indians welcome the gesture from the Indian carrier, say it’s a good change
After being stuck in Magadan, Russia, a small city in the Southeast Siberian Taiga, for over 40 hours, over 200 passengers flying from Mumbai to San Francisco on Air India flight 173 arrived safely at the SF international Airport.
The flight, which landed at 12:07 local time on Thursday, has to be one of the most awaited flights on American soil in recent times.
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Families and relatives who came to receive their loved ones who spent a harrowing 40 hours in a remote, US State Department designated “Do Not Travel,” zone greeted their relatives with smiles and tears.
Air India, the national Indian carrier, has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. The emergency landing in remote Russia, during the time of tensions between Russia and the US, seemed like the last straw.
But soon after the aircraft landed, something unexpected happened. Air India issued an apology note to all the passengers, took full responsibility for the incident and even offered a full fare refund along with a voucher for a future travel on Air India.
The gesture came as a welcome change for many passengers. Manoj Gandhi commented, “What a welcome change for Air India.”
Sudha Iyer, a Bay Area resident says, “This is appreciated. Air India was quick enough to own up and provide an offer of compensation.”
However, some other Indians who have traveled on Air India are not as hopeful. Ram Shetty says, “Air India says it will compensate. But doesn’t say when it will compensate. I know people who are fighting for their compensations during the Covid time cancellations. So, who knows when this gets sorted.”
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Arpit Sharma says, “It’s a step that is in the right direction. This way, Air India has proven that it is responsible for any inconveniences. I am hopeful for better service in the future.”
Although many are appreciating the gesture, others say it was absolutely expected. Anita A. (name withheld on request) whose extended family members were traveling on the flight says that it was absolutely expected.
“This was an experience no one ever imagines their families to go through. The passengers were herded in a schoolhouse which was surrounded by Russian guards,” she said.
“They had to sleep on mattresses laid on the floor and had to share bathrooms. Above this, the emotional toll of being in a remote town with almost nothing but mountains in sight,” said Anita.
“It was not your usual flight delay, where passengers get a five -star hotel stay in a safe, secure place. I believe whatever Air India does is less,” she said.
