Air India flight from Paris diverted to Jaipur after pilot leaves due to duty hours; passengers travel via road

PTC Web Desk: An Air India international flight travelling from Paris to Delhi was delayed after the pilot abandoned the plane at the Jaipur airport, citing the completion of his duty hours. The flight, which had over 180 passengers on board, was stuck at Jaipur airport for over nine hours before passengers were sent to Delhi by road.

The flight, AI-2022, departed from Paris at 10 pm on Sunday and was scheduled to land in Delhi at 10.35 am on Monday. However, due to poor weather conditions, the flight was unable to land in Delhi and, following instructions from air traffic control, the pilot diverted the flight to Jaipur airport at 12.10 pm. The pilot waited for clearance from air traffic control to continue the flight, but by afternoon, no clearance was granted.

With no clearance in sight, the pilot cited the completion of his duty hours and left the aircraft. As a result, more than 180 passengers were left stranded at the Jaipur airport until 9 pm. Passengers, frustrated by the delay, began protesting and demanded alternative arrangements for a flight to Delhi. However, the airline did not offer a replacement flight but instead provided an option to send passengers by bus to Delhi. Food was provided, and later, some passengers travelled by the airline’s buses, while others opted for private vehicles.