Did You Book Air India Delhi-Washington Flight? Here's Why It Got Cancelled Midway

Vienna (Austria) [Europe], July 03: Air India’s Delhi to Washington flight (AI103) made a planned stop for refuelling in Vienna. But what began as a short pause turned into a complete halt. Passengers were expecting to fly onward the same day, but after routine checks, a snag in the system was discovered. Air India engineers flagged a maintenance issue, which made it unsafe to continue the journey without repairs.

Technical Issue Delays Departure

The airline later informed that the issue needed more time to fix than expected. As a result, the second part of the journey, Vienna to Washington, was cancelled. All passengers were offboarded safely. While this created inconvenience for many, the airline assured it was done for safety. Air India stated that repairs were important before any further flying, showing their concern for passengers’ well-being.

Washington Return Flight Cancelled Too

Along with the Vienna to Washington leg, the return flight AI104 from Washington to Delhi via Vienna was also cancelled. Passengers booked on this route were either shifted to other available flights or given full refunds. The airline said passengers were given choices as per their comfort. Such disruptions can cause stress, but alternative options were arranged in time.

Warning on Another Vienna-Bound Flight

Interestingly, just weeks before this cancellation, another Air India flight to Vienna—AI187—showed a “don’t sink” caution in mid-air. The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) and stick shaker alert activated shortly after take-off from Delhi. Reports say the aircraft lost 900 feet of altitude before the crew took control and continued the journey. This warning added to worries about flight safety.

Background of Recent Air Mishaps

The timing of this particular incident is important. Just some weeks before, Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed. It killed more than 260 people. In recent times, back-to-back technical alerts and cancellations are seen. Fliers are becoming more cautious. Safety teams are under pressure to ensure all aircraft are fit to fly. Air India’s Vienna stopover highlights how even small checks can lead to major delays, but safety must always come first.