Air India passengers take to Twitter to lash out at the Maharaja over delays; 25 flights affected at Delhi airport

Many passengers took to their Twitter accounts to lash out at the national carrier Air India for the delays that hit as many as 25 flights today at Delhi airport. Air India flight delays took place due to a technical glitch in the check-in software that hampered operations across its network including at Delhi Airport (IGI) today, leaving thousands of flyers frustrated and stranded. Air India finally took to Twitter to say, “Due to unexpected network connectivity issues at SITA #Atlanta #Datacenter , which had a #worldwide impact, 25 flights were delayed from 1210 hrs to 1510 hrs on #Airindia network. Operations are normal now.” 

However, this was not acceptable to passengers who were travelling on the carrier and they complained about the delayed services today. What made matters worse was that Delhi is going through a heat wave.

#FlyAI : #Airindia #updates :
Due to unexpexted network connectivity issues at SITA #Atlanta #Datacenter , which had a #worldwide impact, 25 flights were delayed from 1210 hrs to 1510 hrs on #Airindia network. Operations are normal now.

— Air India (@airindiain) June 23, 2018

Akhilesh Mishra, CEO, BlueKraft Digital Foundation said on Twitter, “Just reached Delhi Airport and found out that Air India servers are down for the last two hours. All domestic and international flights are grounded. The airport looks like a mela of stranded passengers with hardly any space to even walk.”

Just reached Delhi Airport and found out that Air India servers are down for the last two hours. All domestic and international flights are grounded. The airport looks like a mela of stranded passengers with hardly any space to even walk.

— Akhilesh Mishra (@amishra77) June 23, 2018

Janki Sharan Pandey tweeted, “Sir we are waiting for take of more than 1:30 hours passed. Air India express flight Lucknow to Dubai. Departure 2:50 PM. But still waiting. Please help us.”

Sir we are waiting for take of more than 1:30 hours passed. Air India express flight Lucknow to Dubai. Departure 2:50 PM. But still waiting.
Please help us

— Janki Sharan Pandey (@pandey_janki) June 23, 2018

On the other hand, some passengers dragged Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu into the matter and asked him to look into the Air India delays. 

Deepak Khanna said, “@sureshpprabhu stranded at DEL airport. Air India system notworking now for more than 1 hr ? Can you pls push for an early resolution.?”

@sureshpprabhu stranded at DEL airport. Air India system notworking now for more than 1 hr ? Can you pls push for an early resolution ?

— Deepak Khanna (@Deepakk1972) June 23, 2018

Meanwhile Manan Jain said, “Waiting for #AirIndia to depart for the last one hour inside thr plane. No information no updates, just pure harassment #epicfail @sureshpprabhu.”

Waiting for #AirIndia to depart for the last one hour inside thr plane. No information no updates, just pure harassment #epicfail @sureshpprabhu pic.twitter.com/ARQJrIV0bD

— Manan Jain (@m4ugr8) June 23, 2018

However, in the midst of the chaos and war of words, some passengers also took time out to appreciate Air India staff for their role in controlling the situation.  

Rathin Roy said, “I stand corrected having been earlier misinformed The collapse at Delhi airport is an Air India problem Apologies to @DelhiAirport @airindian is bound to have problems like this as it is broke. This I much to expect senior mgmt to come to airport on a weekend @jayantsinha”
 

That said very impressed with the calm professionalism with which Air India airport ground handling staff, many of whom are on short term contracts, are doing their job without any visible support whatsoever from the full time senior management lifers @airindian @jayantsinha https://t.co/K03A6QAMVC

— rathin roy (@EmergingRoy) June 23, 2018

 
Roy himself later took to twitter again to add, “That said very impressed with the calm professionalism with which Air India airport ground handling staff, many of whom are on short term contracts, are doing their job without any visible support whatsoever from the full time senior management lifers @airindian @jayantsinha.”

Capt. Panna Rajagopal AI863 “..delayed due to a nationwide systems failure across Air India network. We expect pushback in 15 mins. We will try and persuade ATC to give us the shortest route + approach. Apologies.” The BEST cockpit msg. I’ve heard in 23 years of frequent flying

— rathin roy (@EmergingRoy) June 23, 2018

“Capt. Panna Rajagopal AI863 “..delayed due to a nationwide systems  failure across Air India network. We expect pushback in 15 mins. We will try and persuade ATC to give us the shortest route + approach. Apologies.” The BEST cockpit msg. I’ve heard in 23 years of frequent flying,” Roy added.

The software glitch affected operations from 1 PM to 2.30 PM and during this hours check-in and other services were handled manually, the spokesperson said.
 
Global airlines IT services solution major SITA manages Air India's software, which provides its check-in, boarding and baggage tracking technology. 

In another development, the airline unveiled its revamped premium-class to woo customers on international  routes and increase revenue. The airline has revamped its services on certain flights on international routes and also introduced new uniforms for the crew and cuisine. This development came a week after the government decided to put on hold its disinvestment plans.