Caught on Video – Passenger Slaps Airline Staff Amid Chaos at Delhi Airport After Air India Flight Delayed by 7 Hours
A routine Air India flight from Delhi to Mumbai descended into chaos after an overnight delay of over seven hours, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated. The incident, which occurred at Delhi Airport, turned physical when an enraged passenger slapped an Air India staff member—a moment that was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media.
The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 11 PM on April 11, was finally airborne at 6:30 AM the next morning. Passengers allege they were kept in the dark throughout the night with minimal communication from airline authorities. Many claimed they received no clear explanation for the prolonged delay and were not offered adequate assistance.
The situation intensified around 12:50 AM when boarding was initiated but abruptly halted midway. With half the passengers already inside, the remaining travelers were left confused as the boarding gate was locked and a further delay was announced. Tensions peaked when one visibly distressed passenger assaulted a crew member, shouting, “Mere baap ki tabiyat kharab hai. Hamari problem samjho na” (My father’s health is not good. Please understand our problem).
Witnesses alleged that a staff member laughed during the commotion, further enraging those affected. One passenger confronted the employee, saying, “Hass mat samjha na” (Don’t you dare laugh at our situation).
On social media, content creator Garima Raonta, who was among the passengers, documented the ordeal. She posted: “There were kids crying, elderly passengers exhausted, and people who absolutely needed to be in Mumbai for critical work. What we got in return? A half-hearted apology and a juice box.”
Some passengers received messages offering refunds and compensation at around 3 AM. However, the lack of immediate clarity and assistance led to growing frustration, with several users online slamming Air India for poor crisis management.
In response, Air India issued a statement attributing the delay to a severe thunderstorm and gusty winds that disrupted flight operations at Delhi Airport. The airline explained that the flight in question was originally part of a diverted schedule. Due to crew unavailability and aviation safety regulations known as Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), the designated pilots were rendered ineligible to fly. A replacement crew had to be arranged, causing further delays.
#TravelAdvisory
— Air India (@airindia) April 11, 2025
Poor weather, caused by heavy thunderstorms and gusty winds, has affected flight operations across parts of Northern India. Some of our flights to and from Delhi are being delayed or diverted, which is likely to impact our overall flight schedule. We are closely…
“Passengers for the Delhi–Mumbai flight had already begun boarding in anticipation of the crew’s arrival. Unfortunately, the original crew could not operate the flight due to FDTL constraints, and passengers had to be deboarded. Refreshments were provided,” the statement read.
The flight ultimately landed in Mumbai at 8:30 AM, bringing a highly stressful and disappointing night to an end.
This incident has once again ignited debates about the state of customer service in Indian aviation, with netizens calling for greater accountability from major carriers.
