An Air India flight from Kochi to Delhi (AI 504) aborted its takeoff on Monday due to a technical issue, forcing the aircraft to return to the bay and delaying the journey of passengers, including Members of Parliament who were on board.
Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) confirmed that the Delhi-bound flight, originally scheduled for an early morning departure, was grounded after the snag was detected. “Air India informed us that they are changing the aircraft. The new estimated departure time is 1:00 am,” a CIAL spokesperson said.
Congress MP Hibi Eden, a passenger on the flight, shared his experience on social media, writing: “Something unusual with this flight AI 504… it just felt like the flight skid on the runway… and hasn’t taken off yet.”
Rajya Sabha MP Jebi Mather, also on board, said the pilot later announced that the aircraft was unfit for travel. “Now the pilot announced this aircraft cannot be used for travel. Passengers will be shifted to another aircraft by around 1 am,” she stated.
Air India has not yet issued an official statement on the cause of the technical snag. More details are awaited.