Saudi law firm issues notice to Air India Express over 24-hour delay of Dammam-Mangaluru flight
Jeddah/Dammam, April 15, 2025: A Saudi Arabian law firm has served a legal notice to Air India Express over a prolonged delay of Flight IX-886, which was scheduled to fly from Dammam to Saudi law firm issues notice to Air India Express over 24-hour delay of Dammam-Mangaluru flight.
The notice, sent on behalf of the affected passengers, demands accountability and compensation from the airline for the severe inconvenience caused to travelers, many of whom included senior citizens, children, and individuals with medical needs.
The notice was issued by International Justice Law Firm, a reputed legal firm based in Saudi Arabia. It was signed by noted Saudi lawyer and firm partner, Advocate Faten Faiz AlAhmari. The move was facilitated by Dr. & Advocate P.A. Hameed Padubidri, a well-known Indian-origin legal expert and social worker based in the Kingdom, who has played a key role in bringing the issue to legal attention. According to Dr. Hameed, he received multiple complaints from passengers and witnessed the suffering of those stranded, which prompted him to initiate formal legal action.
The flight, IX-886, was originally scheduled to depart from Dammam at 10:10 PM on March 25. However, due to unexplained delays, the passengers were left in limbo for over 24 hours. Several passengers reportedly spent long hours inside the aircraft and at the airport terminal without proper information, accommodation, or basic support from the airline. The ordeal drew widespread criticism, with many expressing frustration over the lack of communication from airline officials.
In the legal notice served to Air India Express, the law firm has accused the airline of negligence and highlighted multiple grievances. These include the unexplained delay, lack of official updates, absence of alternative arrangements such as hotel accommodation or food, and the extended detention of passengers inside the aircraft. The notice emphasized the physical, emotional, and financial toll it took on the passengers, particularly those with medical conditions or accompanying young children.
The notice has formally demanded a written apology from Air India Express to all affected passengers, full compensation for the hardships endured, a detailed explanation for the delay, and a clear assurance that similar lapses will not recur in future operations. The airline has been given a 15-day deadline to respond. If it fails to do so, legal proceedings will be initiated in both Saudi Arabia and India. The lawyers have stated that the airline will be held financially liable for any resulting litigation.
Dr. Hameed Padubidri, who has been vocal about issues faced by Indian expatriates in the Gulf, especially in relation to travel services, said that this incident is just one of many that reflect a broader pattern of negligence by certain airlines operating on Gulf-India routes. Speaking to the media, he remarked, “We expected improved efficiency and passenger care from Air India Express after its acquisition by the Tata Group. However, the continued lapses and negligence—especially on Gulf routes—have deeply frustrated the Indian expatriate community. If the airline fails to respond, we will pursue the matter vigorously in both Saudi and Indian courts to ensure justice for the affected passengers.”
The case has caught the attention of passenger rights advocates and legal experts in both countries. Many believe it could set a precedent for holding airlines accountable for delays and poor treatment of passengers, particularly in the heavily traveled Gulf-India sector.
As of now, Air India Express has not issued any official response to the notice.
@AirIndiaX,the passengers are still stranded inDammamAirport. As of 7:40PM here,they recd bording passes,but remain uncertain about their flight’s status.They includes patients, infants,senior citizens,medical students.Really,it’s inexcusable &ur reps are unresponsive. pic.twitter.com/58s2Wk3adX
— Dr.PAHPadubidri 🇮🇳 (@Abdulha60313772) March 26, 2025
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Cong extended support to Centre in action against perpetrators of terror attack: Kharge
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said his party has extended full support to the central government in its actions against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack and that they will have to properly utilise it, take everyone into confidence, and move ahead.
The country is important and everyone will have to fight together to protect it and work for its welfare, he said, as he also expressed reservations about Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipping Thursday's all-party meeting that was convened to discuss the terror attack.
The terror attack in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 has left at least 26 people dead, including two from Karnataka.
"I have already said that he (PM) should have come (for the all-party meeting). Him not coming is not right...the country is important, religion, language come later. So all of us should fight together for the country. I have said it several times that we extend support to the government," Kharge said in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "We will extend support. Properly utilise it. If they (Centre) take everyone into confidence, further steps will be easy. But going on criticising each other will not go well."
"Some people have already started it, it is not right. We have spoken about what was discussed in the meeting. Some people are speaking giving different meanings to it, which is not right...everything discussed at the meeting cannot be revealed in the interest of the country. I may be there or may go, similar is the case with Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, but the country will remain. So all of us should strive together for its welfare," he added.
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