In moments of uncertainty, compassion becomes as vital as schedules. This holds especially during travel when safety is not just a priority but a commitment to humankind.
The adage ‘time can wait, but health and humanity cannot’ was amply evident when a regular plane journey took quite an unexpected turn on Wednesday.
A passenger on Air India flight AI160 from London to Ahmedabad complained of acute discomfort mid-flight.
The plane was scheduled to depart at 3.05pm on Wednesday with around 250 passengers on board.
The inbound international service from London Gatwick, flight AI160, was operating the same aircraft that was expected in Ahmedabad earlier in the day.
Air India staff didn’t take any chances — it seemed a clear case of a medical emergency. Showing presence of mind, they diverted the plane to Dubai to ensure the passenger received timely care.
A pre-scheduled ‘notice to airmen’ (Notam) temporarily restricted flight operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The operating crew also came under mandatory flight duty time limitation (FDTL) norms. They were not allowed to continue the operation.
Air India reportedly said the decision to terminate the flight in Dubai followed safety and regulatory requirements.
The airline said that ground staff in Dubai provided immediate assistance to passengers. Hotel accommodation was arranged. Efforts were made to rebook passengers on alternative flights to their destinations as soon as possible.
Passengers booked on the cancelled Ahmedabad-Delhi service were informed of the disruption. They were assisted with re-accommodation or other available options.
The airline expressed regret over the inconvenience, describing the situation as unforeseen.
Airport officials, who didn’t want to be named, said that the incident caused some delays and inconvenience at Ahmedabad. However, no other major disruptions were observed during the day.
Also Read: IndiGo Flight Diverted To Karachi Due To Medical Emergency https://www.vibesofindia.com/indigo-flight-diverted-to-karachi-due-to-medical-emergency/
