'Spirited' man delays AI flight

Passenger of Delhi-bound plane from Bahrain got drunk while waiting in Mumbai

The passengers of Air India Express flight IX 144 were waiting for their plane to take off from Mumbai for their destination, Delhi. The scheduled departure was at 11:35 pm but some time later they were told that it has been re-scheduled for 12:15 am. However, the flight was already running late from Bahrain due to which the departure from Mumbai was again delayed till 1:15 am.

A yet to be identified passenger on the plane thought to make the most of the time. He went inside the airport and drank a bit too much while his co-passengers left ruing at the fact that the airline did not allegedly inform them about the delays.

After making good his time, the passenger returned to the plane but reportedly none of the staff checked him while clearing the passengers for further flight.

"The aircraft had just started taxiing and was approaching the runway. However, suddenly a passenger who was seated behind me started vomiting. The crew immediately informed the pilot and the flight was aborted and returned to the parking bay," said Chander Bhave, who boarded the flight to Delhi from Mumbai.

"The pilot informed the ATC and an ambulance reached the plane," said Bhave.
After the aircraft was parked, the passenger was taken out and others were also asked to get off the plane for some time.

"Later, it was announced that the flight would depart at 2:45 am," said Dr Bhave.
The aircraft was cleaned and finally departed at 2:45 am.
Sources said, the drunken passenger was later declared fit by doctors and allowed to fly. "He flew to Delhi in the same flight," said sources.u00a0

The flight finally reached Delhi after a delay of over three and a half hours.
Air India official spokesperson could not be contacted despite several attempts over phone. He did not reply to text messages also.