A ferry flight operated by Air India is due to touch down in San Francisco tonight, bringing relief to passengers after an unexpected diversion on their way from Delhi. Flight AI 1179, which was pressed into service following the detour of Flight 183, is scheduled for an 8:15 p.m. arrival at San Francisco International Airport, NBC Bay Area reported. The original flight bound for San Francisco was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, after the crew identified potential technical issues in the cargo hold.
According to Hindustan Times, Air India conveyed that "The flight AI 1179 departed Krasnoyarsk (KJA) at 0002 hours local time (20 July) for San Francisco (SFO), carrying all passengers and crew of AI183 that was diverted to Krasnoyarsk," and the airline acknowledged the inconvenience caused to its customers, noting that the diversion was a precautionary measure dictated by a concern for safety.
The ferry flight was provisioned with essentials and ample food to accommodate the passengers, highlighting Air India's commitment to the care and comfort of those onboard during this contingency. Furthermore, additional support staff at SFO have been mobilized to expedite clearance and provide necessary assistance upon arrival, which may include medical care, ground transportation, and managing connections for travelers with onward destinations.
Amid the logistical challenges posed by the diversion, the Indian Embassy in Moscow played a crucial collaborative role; in a post praising the combined efforts of the Russian Foreign Ministry, its Representative Office in Krasnoyarsk, the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport, the Krasnoyarsk Krai Government, airport authorities, security officials, and the embassy's coordination team which facilitated assistance to the stranded passengers during this emergency scenario, as cited by Hindustan Times.
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