Air India has once again drawn attention for operational troubles after flight AI 138 from Milan to Delhi, scheduled for October 17, was abruptly cancelled due to a technical fault. The disruption left hundreds of passengers—many returning home for the Deepavali holidays—stranded in Milan, struggling with uncertainty and limited assistance.
According to passengers, the flight was set to depart at 9 p.m. local time but was grounded following a last-minute technical snag. Some travelers were informed that they would only be rebooked on flights as late as October 21, creating serious challenges for those whose visas were about to expire or who had little money to cover extra expenses.
Several passengers, including families with young children and elderly travelers, reported distressing experiences. Some were temporarily accommodated in hotels outside Milan but were later asked to check out without clear instructions. “Attempts to reach Air India’s support team have been unsuccessful. We were told they could no longer assist and had reached out to the Indian Embassy,” said passenger Chandni Varia in a statement to The Hindu.
Videos from the scene show parents worrying about food for their toddlers and others expressing concern for elderly passengers stranded at the airport without valid travel documents.
In a press release, Air India stated that all affected passengers were provided with hotel stays and were being rebooked on flights from October 20 onward, depending on availability. The airline also confirmed that passengers with expiring visas were prioritized for earlier departures to ensure compliance with visa regulations.
The incident adds to Air India’s growing list of operational setbacks, raising renewed questions about the airline’s crisis management and passenger care during peak travel periods.
