The aircraft had environment minister Prakash Javadekar, and several lawmakers on board. (File photograph)
Highlights
- Air India crew had a fight on board their plane
- Delhi-Trivandrum flight delayed by several hours
- VVIPs on board included parliamentarians, plane stalled on tarmac
Air India today gave VVIPS a taste of what the
aam passenger confronts all too often.
The national carrier's Delhi-Thiruvanthapuram flight was to take off at 5.45 pm. Passengers boarded the plane on time. But the flight didn't take off -- till 8 pm, the plane was stalled on the tarmac. Not because of technical glitches or urgent last-minute security checks, but because the crew members weren't getting along.
On board were top CPM leader Prakash Karat, three parliamentarians and 16 IAS officers. Despite that, no senior Air India official arrived to get things moving.
One of the parliamentarians, NK Premachandran, told NDTV, "Boarding was over. The flight was ready to take off. Suddenly there was a quarrel between the flight crew members. All the MPs and officials witnessed the flare-up. And due to that, the flight is still standing at the airport". He added, "Neither is the flight taking off, nor are we being allowed to get off."
The flight was delayed by two hours.
Another angry MP who did not wish to be named said he plans to raise the delay in Parliament.
The two crew members have been suspended by Air India. "No indiscipline will be tolerated," said Air India Chairman Ashwani Lohani.