'No Assistance And Very Bad Service': MP Supriya Sule Slams Air India After Her Delayed Flight From Delhi To Pune

Amidst the uproar over cancellation of Air India flights following the crash in Ahmedabad which killed 241 people on board, Baramati MP Supriya Sule on Tuesday took to X to raise an issue with the aviation player and said that such delays and mismanagement are becoming a norm.

Multiple Air India international flights, primarily operated by Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, were cancelled on Tuesday. The cancellations come in the wake of a tragic incident on June 12, when a London-bound Air India Dreamliner crashed into a hostel complex shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulting in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew members.

Taking to X, Sule wrote, "Traveling from Delhi to Pune on @airindia flight AI 2971. The flight is delayed by over 3 hours — no clear communication, no updates, no assistance and very bad service. Such delays and mismanagement are becoming a norm with @airindia. Passengers are left stranded and helpless. This apathy is unacceptable. Urging @RamMNK, @MoCA_GoI to intervene and hold the airline accountable. Travellers deserve better."

Travelling from Delhi to Pune on @airindia flight AI 2971. The flight is delayed by over 3 hours — no clear communication, no updates, no assistance and very bad service. Such delays and mismanagement are becoming a norm with @airindia. Passengers are left stranded and helpless.…

— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) June 17, 2025

Not just Sule, but other flyers also raised issues with the same flight. A flyer named Prachi Tiwari wrote, "AI-2971 DEL-PNQ on 17th June is late by more than 3.5 hours. No refreshments served except water and still in the flight for the last 1.2 hours with no idea when it will fly."

To this, Air India replied, "Dear Mr. Tiwari, we’re working to minimize disruptions and get you on your way at the earliest. The flight was delayed due to bad weather in Delhi and it is expected to depart anytime soon. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time."

After this reply, Tiwari questioned, "Why did you board us 2 hours earlier if you knew this would take time? Because you didn’t want to pay us the refund. Boycotting Air India for any further travel."

Air India flight AI 2971 from Delhi (DEL) to Pune (PNQ) on June 17, 2025, was significantly delayed. Scheduled to depart at 4:00 PM IST from Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport, the flight actually took off at 7:53 PM—over 4 hours late. It was originally expected to arrive in Pune at 6:05 PM but is now estimated to land at 10:23 PM.

@airindia WTH is going with AI-2971, first it's late by almost 4 hours, haven't had lunch to catch this, now feel like missing dinner too. Even @supriya_sule in the same flight but still improvement.

— Whistle_blower (@erhimanshukr) June 17, 2025

@airindia AI-2971 DEL-PNQ on 17th Jun is late by more than 3.5 hours. No refreshments served except water and still in the flight for last 1.2 hours with no idea when it will fly. @TataCompanies @AAI_Official #AirIndiaFlight

— Prachi Tiwari (@Pracheetiwaree) June 17, 2025

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu replied to her and wrote, "I’ve spoken to the airline and airport authorities. They’ve been asked to urgently address the concerns of all affected passengers."

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