More flight issues dog AI, DGCA starts audit

Five passengers and two cabin crew reported nausea and dizziness on a London Heathrow to Mumbai flight on Monday even as the aviation regulator started an annual audit of the airline amid increased scrutiny following the fatal crash of AI 171 in Ahmedabad on 12 June.

- Neha LM Tripathi

NEW DELHI:

Air India confirmed the incident on flight AI 130 from London Heathrow to Mumbai but did not specify the cause. An airline official familiar with the matter, on condition of anonymity, said the passengers and crew fell sick due to slow decompression, or a gradual decrease in cabin pressure.

"A few of them were taken to the medical room (at Mumbai's Terminal 2) on wheelchairs," an airport official, also on condition of anonymity, added.

"... five passengers and two crew members reported feeling dizzy and nauseous during different phases of the flight. The flight landed safely in Mumbai, where our medical teams were ready to provide immediate assistance," an Air India spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the two passengers and two cabin crew members who were taken to the medical room for further examination were later discharged.

"We are investigating the incident and have duly notified the regulator."