Dubai-bound Air India flight leaves from Mangaluru Airport after 12-hour delay
Mangaluru: An Air India Express flight scheduled to depart for Dubai from Mangalore International Airport faced a delay of 12 hours due to a technical fault. The flight, which was supposed to take off at 11.05 p.m. on Monday night, finally departed at 12.10 p.m. on Tuesday.
As a result of the prolonged delay, approximately seven passengers opted to cancel their journeys and made alternative travel arrangements. However, 161 passengers decided to continue with their travel plans and boarded the flight to Dubai.
Passengers were informed about the technical fault with flight IX813 and were initially informed that the flight would be diverted to Thiruvananthapuram, with accommodation provided at a hotel. From Thiruvananthapuram, they would proceed to Dubai. However, most passengers expressed a preference for an empty flight to be brought directly from Thiruvananthapuram to Mangalore, allowing for a non-stop journey. Responding to this feedback, Air India arranged for a replacement flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Mangalore, enabling the passengers to continue their journey to Dubai.
Meanwhile, flight IX383, originally scheduled to depart at 9.15 a.m. on Tuesday, was rescheduled for 6.45 p.m.
Air India expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers and released a statement addressing the situation. "The flight scheduled for Dubai on Monday night was able to fly to Thiruvananthapuram. Passengers were told that the flight would proceed to Dubai after maintenance work was completed in Trivandrum. However, as the passengers preferred to wait for the empty flight to arrive from Thiruvananthapuram, there were delays. We have ensured continuous catering for passengers, and passengers have also cooperated," the statement read.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Christmas decorations vandalised by VHP activists at school in Nalbari; Tension in area
Nalbari: Tension prevailed in the Panigaon area of Nalbari district on December 24 after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly entered the premises of St Mary’s School and vandalised materials prepared for Christmas celebrations.
According to local sources, activists of the VHP and Bajrang Dal entered the school campus ahead of Christmas and raised slogans inside the premises. It is alleged that Christmas-related decorations and materials kept within the school compound were damaged and set on fire.
Eyewitnesses said that members of the Bajrang Dal were the first to enter the campus, during which they allegedly raised slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram,” “Jai Hindu Rashtra,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and burnt items prepared for Christmas celebrations. The incident created panic among local residents and led to concerns over law and order in the area. No injuries have been reported so far.
The incident comes amid reports of similar acts in Nalbari town in recent days, where Christmas decorations displayed at several commercial establishments were allegedly set on fire.
Reacting to the incident, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair said on social media that VHP and Bajrang Dal activists entered St Mary’s School on Christmas Eve, raised slogans and destroyed Christmas decorations. His post drew attention to the incident and sparked wider discussion online.
Police have not yet issued an official statement on the incident. Further details are awaited.
On Christmas Eve, Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal goons entered St. Mary’s School in Panigaon, Nalbari, chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hindu Rashtra.” They destroyed and set fire to all Christmas decorations prepared at the school. pic.twitter.com/LQHV7FWUvz
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 24, 2025
