Around 170 passengers travelling from London to Ahmedabad via Mumbai on Air India flight AI 130 were reportedly stranded at Mumbai airport for 4.5 hours on October 14, triggering complaints over a lack of drinking water and poor-quality food.According to airport sources, the delay occurred due to a six-hour Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued for post-monsoon maintenance work at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA).
A NOTAM alerts pilots and air traffic controllers about changes, unusual situations or potential hazards affecting flight operations.The flight departed from London Heathrow Airport late on October 13 and arrived in Mumbai at around 11.30 am on October 14. Passengers took about an hour to complete immigration and Customs formalities before waiting until 3.50 pm for their connecting flight to Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad airport generally has a three-hour NOTAM every Wednesday. However, post-monsoon runway maintenance was scheduled for October 14, leading authorities to extend the restriction to six hours, from 11 am to 5 pm. Airport sources said flight operations could not take place during this period.
Passengers expressed dissatisfaction with the arrangements during the extended wait. Ahmedabad resident Sanatkumar Shastri alleged that drinking water was not provided for nearly two hours. He also complained that the food served was of poor quality and did not suit the preferences of many Gujarati passengers.With inadequate refreshments available, passengers reportedly had to purchase tea, snacks and other food items at their own expense.
According to passengers, each person spent around Rs 500 to Rs 700 on refreshments. They said they opted to buy food from airport food courts instead of using the lounge, which charged Rs 2,650 for access.Passengers also alleged that those travelling on lower-fare tickets were not provided with adequate facilities during the delay.
The affected passengers eventually boarded Air India flight AI 2915 to Ahmedabad at around 5.15 pm.