Pregnant woman from Bhatkal shares harrowing experience on delayed Air India Express flight
Mangaluru bound Air India Express flight was delayed for over 24 hours at Dammam Airport
Bhatkal: Bibi Sara, a pregnant woman from Bhatkal, has made serious allegations against an airline regarding mistreatment during a prolonged flight delay by Air India Express on March 6. Sara's claims have rapidly circulated on social media platforms, drawing attention to her experience at Dammam International Airport.
The incident occurred amidst a 24-hour delay of an Air India Express flight bound for Mangaluru. Despite presenting a medical certificate detailing complications from previous pregnancies, Sara alleged that airline staff ignored her needs.
Bibi Sara, who was scheduled to board Air India Express flight no: IX886 from King Fahad International Airport Damam at 10:20 pm (KSA timing) destined for Mangalore Airport, shared her ordeal through a viral message. According to Sara, the flight faced extensive delays due to an emergency landing in Mumbai. Despite her husband being present at the airport, the flight was initially rescheduled for 2:00 am, but eventually, it was canceled for the night and rescheduled for the following morning at 11:25 am on March 7th.
Sara, who is pregnant and was advised by her doctor to travel early due to previous pregnancy complications, faced challenges during the ordeal, especially with walking long distances. She mentioned that despite requesting wheelchair assistance, she experienced further delays and mistreatment. Despite patiently waiting, the flight was delayed multiple times, adding to the frustration of the passengers.
Upon reaching near the boarding gate after completing the check-in process, the displayed flight timing was 11:00 am, but it was later announced that further delays were due to technical issues. Eventually, at 2:40 pm, passengers were escorted to the airport bus for boarding, but Sara's wheelchair was taken away, and the bus remained stationary. Subsequently, at 3:20 pm, passengers were instructed to disembark due to another technical issue.
Expressing her exhaustion and frustration, Sara mentioned seeking solace in reciting a comforting verse. She emphasized feeling mistreated and expressed disappointment at the lack of proper assistance, stating that the repeated setbacks tested the patience of passengers immensely.
In her message, Sara recounted her efforts to address the situation by gathering fellow passengers to voice their concerns. She mentioned that passengers reached out to higher authorities and describes instances where she was asked to speak to airport management and the airline manager. Sara expresses frustration as these attempts to communicate were met with unresponsiveness, with one call abruptly ended while she was speaking.
She highlights the diverse group of passengers, including pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and elderly individuals, who endured the delay without proper meals or accommodations. Sara emphasizes the lack of assistance from the airline, citing the absence of hotel accommodations, food provisions, or clear communication about the departure time. Despite some last-minute efforts to provide a meager lunch box and water bottles, Sara criticizes the airline for failing to take responsibility or apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Sara questioned why Air India Express fails to provide passengers with the necessary facilities during flight delays, unlike other airlines. She expressed frustration at the suffering passengers endure when traveling with Air India Express, echoing sentiments she has heard about it being the "worst flight ever," sentiments she now shares after experiencing it firsthand.
She emphasized the plight of mothers traveling with young children, highlighting the frustration and exhaustion they must endure. Sara reflected on her own situation as the only passenger from her hometown, Bhatkal, with her family already en route to Mangalore Airport to pick her up. Despite boarding, the flight's timing kept changing, leaving her unsure whether to tell her family to return home and come back again. She lamented the distress and exhaustion her families and others must have experienced while awaiting her arrival.
Sara described how her families' excitement to welcome her turned into disappointment, characterizing the situation as mental torture inflicted not only on passengers but also on their families.
In her message, Sara recounts the toll the prolonged flight delay took on her health, resulting in severe stomach cramps and fear for her unborn child's safety. She expresses frustration at the lack of accountability for the potential consequences of the stressful journey.
Despite the ordeal, Sara expressed gratitude for the care she received from an air hostess who provided her with assistance and comfort. She also acknowledged the kindness of fellow passengers, particularly Haider Shareef from Mangalore and a woman from Kasarkod, who offered support and assistance during the flight.
Sara extended heartfelt thanks to all those who showed compassion and support during the difficult journey.
Sara emphasized that her intention in sharing her experience is not to seek fame but to raise awareness and prevent other pregnant women and passengers from enduring similar hardships in the future. She requested that the higher authorities and management members of Air India Express take better care of passengers during flight delays and ensure that basic needs are provided.
Still deeply affected by the incident, Sara expresses gratitude to Allah for their safe landing despite the challenges they faced during the flight. Sara's family is also demanding compensation from the airline for the traumatic experience she endured during the prolonged flight delay.
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.
UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
ALSO READ: Cong candidate who moved Kerala HC for name reinstatement in voter list, wins
Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
