New Delhi: An Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai was subjected to an emergency deep cleaning after a mid-air scare involving cockroaches disrupted the journey for some passengers. The incident occurred on flight AI180, which included a scheduled stop in Kolkata for refueling.
According to an official Air India statement, a few small cockroaches were spotted on board, prompting the crew to take swift action. “Two passengers were inconvenienced by the presence of a few cockroaches on flight AI180. Our cabin crew promptly relocated them to alternative seats in the same cabin, where they were comfortable thereafter,” the airline said.
During the fuel stop in Kolkata, ground staff carried out a thorough cleaning of the aircraft. “A deep cleaning process was immediately undertaken to address the issue. The same aircraft then continued its journey to Mumbai without further delay,” a spokesperson confirmed.
Despite routine fumigation procedures, the airline acknowledged that insects can occasionally enter the aircraft during ground operations. A formal investigation has been launched to determine how the pests got onboard and to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Air India also extended an apology to the affected passengers and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining onboard hygiene and passenger comfort.
In a separate incident, Air India’s flight AI349 from Singapore to Chennai, scheduled for August 3, was cancelled due to a technical maintenance issue identified prior to departure.
“A maintenance task required additional time for rectification, and the flight had to be cancelled as a result,” Air India stated. Passengers were offered hotel accommodations and options for full refunds or complimentary rescheduling, based on their preferences.
“We are doing everything possible to minimize the inconvenience to passengers,” the spokesperson added, emphasizing that safety and passenger well-being remain top priorities.
Passengers are advised to stay informed through Air India’s official website and customer service channels for real-time updates.
