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.
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Madhu Kishwar booked over misleading content on social media
Chandigarh (PTI): Madhu Kishwar has been booked following a complaint by a Chandigarh resident over the alleged circulation of forged and misleading content on social media.
An FIR has been lodged against Kishwar and some other social media users under relevant sections, including 196 (criminalises acts that promote enmity, hatred, or ill-will between groups based on religion, race, language), 336 (1) (forgery) and 356 (criminal defamation) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act at Police Station Sector-26 here.
According to an official statement issued by the Chandigarh police on Monday, a city-based complainant on April 19 alleged that some forged and misleading social media posts and video clips with obscene text and content were being circulated by various social media users, misidentifying the person in the video.
Further investigation into the matter is underway.
As per the complainant, it is a deliberate act of creating a false electronic record using obscene words and phrases, having knowledge and sufficient reason to believe that the posts are misleading and false, with the intent to cause damage or injury.
The video, which circulated with the intent to cause harm to the reputation of a constitutional authority and to disturb public peace and tranquility, should be investigated, and appropriate action should be taken, according to the complainant.
As per the complainant, the person seen in the video is a travel vlogger whose wife regularly posts updates about their activities on social media. The original video was shared from her social media account.
"As per the statement of the woman, she disclosed that the person in the video shared from her account is her husband. Statements of her husband and another lady in the video have also been recorded during preliminary investigation," said police in the statement.
Meanwhile, Kishwar, in a social media post, said a team of Chandigarh police had visited her late Monday night to serve her notice regarding the FIR registered against her.
"Since the law forbids the police to visit or arrest women after dark and before sunrise, I spoke on phone to the leader of the delegation. She told me that their team has come to serve notice regarding an FIR registered against me in Chandigarh. I insisted that they go by the law and come in the morning," she wrote on X.
