An Air India Express flight from Saudi Arabia to Mangaluru experienced a significant delay due to a technical issue with the aircraft’s braking sensor. Flight IX 886, a Boeing 737-800, was scheduled to depart from King Fahd International Airport at 9:35 pm on Friday but ended up leaving three hours later at 12:45 am on Saturday. The delay affected 186 passengers, including those with children, who were forced to wait in their seats until the issue was resolved.
The aircraft’s braking sensor plays a crucial role in facilitating safe landings by preventing overheating of the wheels and avoiding wheel lock-up using anti-skid systems. According to passenger Syed Mohammed Shakeel, the initial delay was announced as 20 minutes, but it soon became apparent that there was a more serious technical issue. The flight captain announced that aircraft engineers were on board to rectify the problem, and after a wait of over three hours, the issue was finally resolved.
The flight took off at 12:45 am and arrived at Mangaluru International Airport at 7:15 am, approximately three hours behind schedule. The scheduled arrival time was 4:25 am. Passengers, particularly those with children, were put to significant inconvenience due to the delay. Shakeel expressed that the delay was particularly frustrating for him, as he had traveled from Riyadh to Dammam to board the flight to his hometown of Mangaluru.
The incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft before departure. While the delay was undoubtedly inconvenient for passengers, it is reassuring that the issue was identified and rectified before the flight took off, prioritizing the safety of those on board. The Air India Express flight eventually completed its journey, albeit with a significant delay, and passengers were able to reach their destination safely.