An Air India relief aircraft, deployed to assist passengers of a Delhi-San Francisco flight stranded in Russia, has finally departed Krasnoyarsk Airport, heading towards San Francisco.
The aircraft, flight AI 1179, left Krasnoyarsk at 12:02 am local time on July 20, as confirmed by Air India in an official statement.
"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," the statement read.
The situation arose when the original flight, AI 183, carrying 225 passengers and 19 crew members, was forced to make an unscheduled landing in the Russian city. The diversion was prompted by the detection of a potential issue in the cargo hold area of the Boeing 777 aircraft.
In response to the emergency, Air India promptly dispatched a relief flight from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai. The flight, which included a team of crew and security personnel, took off at 12:52 pm local time, destined for Krasnoyarsk.
The ferry flight was well-equipped, carrying essential supplies and ample food for all the stranded passengers.
Air India has also mobilised additional support at San Francisco International Airport to ensure a smooth clearance process for all passengers upon arrival.
The airline assured that the team at SFO is prepared to offer all necessary assistance, including medical care, ground transportation, and onward connections as required.
The Embassy of India in Moscow expressed its gratitude for the cooperation received from various Russian authorities.
"Air India Rescue Flight AI 1179 with passengers of AI-183 took off from Krasnoyarsk for San Francisco. The Embassy of India, Moscow thanks the Foreign Ministry of Russia and its Representative Office in Krasnoyarsk, the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport, the Krasnoyarsk Krai Government, airport authorities, and security officials, for the assistance to the passengers and the Embassy's team in coordination throughout the emergency situation," the Embassy stated in a post on social media platform X.
Earlier on Friday morning, the Embassy had reported that a team of senior officials and interpreters were stationed at Krasnoyarsk to assist the stranded passengers.
The team coordinated with airport and security authorities, as well as representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry, to provide all possible assistance.
"The team will remain on the ground in Krasnoyarsk until Air India's replacement plane arrives and takes the passengers on their onward journey," the Embassy had affirmed in an earlier update.
Follow us
