Flight encounters technical failure; hundreds of Malayalis stranded at Agatti airport in Lakshadweep

AGATTI: Uncertainty is looming over the resumption of travel of hundreds of passengers who are stranded at the Agatti airport in Lakshadweep due to the technical failure of an aircraft. More than 100 passengers have been in distress without receiving food or water for the last two days. Services of various airlines at the Agatti airport were disrupted after a flight of the Alliance Air got stuck in the parking area of the airport.

Nearly hundreds of Malayalis, including elderly people and children, are stranded at the airport. The flight, which encountered a technical problem yesterday, has not been repaired till today afternoon. The flight was supposed to leave for Kochi from Lakshadweep at 11 am yesterday. However, the passengers were asked to get off the flight as the plane couldn't fly due to technical issues. Following this, the passengers were brought back to the pavilion of the airport.

The Agatti Airport is very small in size and does not have eateries or other necessary services for the passengers. As a result, the passengers faced difficulties without getting food and other facilities. In the meantime, some airline companies distributed packets containing biscuits and dry fruits to the passengers.

The passengers demanded that the authorities should bear the cost of their accommodation and food. They also said that they would file a complaint with the DGCA explaining the financial and mental stress they suffered because of the incident.

Meanwhile, officials of Alliance Air said that there were some issues with the engine of the flight and that the service could be resumed only after resolving the technical problem by bringing the machine and mechanic from Hyderabad.