Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai 

Dubai, Dec 8: Passengers travelling in Air India Express flight (IX814) from Dubai to Mangaluru were agitated after the flight was delayed for nearly 14 hours, due to technical difficulties, KhaleeJ Times reported. 

The flight scheduled to depart from Dubai Airport Terminal 2 at 11.40 pm on Saturday left at 2.10 pm on Sunday afternoon, officials confirmed. 

Most of the passengers were travelling with families and were on emergencies. Many were stranded at the airport up to 4 am on Sunday morning.

One of the passengers told media that the check-in process was completed by 9.30 pm. After waiting until 1 am, the passengers were provided with food and snacks from a fast-food restaurant in the airport. The airline offered hotel stay to those interested, but some chose to go back home. Passengers said they were also offered taxi fares to and from the airport. 

Meanwhile, Air India Express officials said that the unexpected delay was due to technical issues. The passengers, who were in emergency, were accommodated in other Air India Express flights earlier in the day. Meanwhile, the other passengers were asked to check-in again at 11 am on Sunday. 

Hassan, a passenger told media that the entire experience was an ordeal. He states that the airline communicated the delay in a poor manner. “No one was there to hear our grievances. Finally, at 4.00 am, we were told by the airport manager that the aircraft cannot fly until the technical issue is cleared. Until then, we just waited at the airport with our families," he added. 

A spokesperson for Air India Express told Khaleej Times that the flight was delayed due to technical issues. "The safety of our passengers is our utmost priority. The aircraft IX814 came across certain technical difficulties that required immediate repairs with the use of spare parts," said the official.