Air India has launched a formal investigation and issued an apology after passengers on its San Francisco-Mumbai flight, AI 180, reported seeing cockroaches during the journey. The flight, which includes a stopover in Kolkata, was the scene of the incident, which has added to the airline's recent operational challenges.
According to an Air India spokesperson, two passengers complained about 'a few small cockroaches.' In response, the cabin crew promptly moved the passengers to different seats within the same cabin, where they were made comfortable for the remainder of the flight. During a scheduled fuel stop in Kolkata, the airline's ground crew performed a deep cleaning of the aircraft to address the pest issue. The flight was able to depart for its final destination in Mumbai on time following the cleaning.
In a statement, the airline acknowledged the incident, saying, "Despite our regular fumigation efforts, insects can sometimes enter an aircraft during ground operations. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to the passengers." Air India also confirmed that it would conduct a "comprehensive investigation" to identify the source of the infestation and implement preventive measures to ensure such an incident does not happen again.
This event comes at a difficult time for the Tata Group-owned carrier. Air India has been under intense scrutiny for persistent operational issues, including flight delays, service complaints, and maintenance problems. The airline is also facing pressure after a deadly Dreamliner crash in June and a recent audit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found 51 safety violations.
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