Australian cricketer David Warner recently criticized Air India after experiencing an unusual and frustrating incident at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Warner was aboard an Air India flight that was stranded without pilots, highlighting a severe lapse in the airline’s operational management. The incident took place on March 22, as Bengaluru was experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds, which led to severe weather disruptions affecting multiple airlines and causing widespread delays.
Warner, who was on the flight, took to social media to express his frustration, questioning how passengers could be boarded without the necessary flight crew. He pointed out the absurdity of being prepared to fly but not having pilots available to operate the flight. The situation highlighted a significant oversight in Air India’s boarding procedures, which led to widespread passenger frustration.
Air India explained that the delays were caused by adverse weather conditions, which impacted the availability of the crew members required for the flight. The airline confirmed that the bad weather had caused several diversions and delays, and the crew availability issue was an unintended consequence of the weather-related disruptions. However, this explanation did little to ease the mounting frustration among passengers, including Warner, who found himself stuck at the airport, waiting for the resolution of the issue.
The incident has drawn attention to the operational challenges airlines face during severe weather conditions, particularly when it comes to managing crew availability and ensuring passenger safety. It also adds to the growing concerns over Air India’s handling of passenger service during disruptions, as the airline continues to face scrutiny over its reliability and customer service practices.
