An Air India Express flight bound for Bengaluru faced a lengthy delay at the Birsa Munda International Airport here on Sunday after a mid-air medical emergencyexhausted the aircraft’s on board oxygen supply. ,
An airport official informed that the incident occurred on board flight IX 1239, a Boeing 737, operating on the Bengaluru-Ranchi sector.
“During the journey from Bengaluru to Ranchi, an elderly passenger experienced severe respiratory distress and breathing difficulties. The operating cabin crew quickly intervened and administered emergency medical oxygen to stabilise the individual. Upon landing safely at Ranchi airport, the passenger was reported to be in stable condition and chose to return home with family members,” the official said.
The official said the aircraft was not allowed to take off for legal reasons after its emergency oxygen equipment was used up.
“Using the emergency equipment meant the aircraft could not legally or safely take off for its return leg to Bengaluru until the legally mandated stock of oxygen cylinders was fully replenished. Because the specialised replacement bottles were unavailable locally at the Ranchi station, the airline had to arrange emergency logistics to fly the replacement equipment directly from New Delhi. The logistical scramble forced 157 Bengaluru-bound passengers to wait inside the terminal for more than three hours as the technical teams worked to source and install the critical safety gear,” the official added.
Confirming the details of the delay and eventual resolution, Ranchi airport director Vinod Kumar stated, “One lady passenger was having breathing issues on board, hence provided oxygen on board by the operating crew. The passenger is stable and went home. Oxygen bottles were arranged from Delhi.”
{{/usCountry}}Confirming the details of the delay and eventual resolution, Ranchi airport director Vinod Kumar stated, “One lady passenger was having breathing issues on board, hence provided oxygen on board by the operating crew. The passenger is stable and went home. Oxygen bottles were arranged from Delhi.”
{{/usCountry}}Following the arrival and successful installation of the fresh oxygen bottles from the national capital, the aircraft was cleared by safety engineers for departure. The flight eventually took off for Bengaluru at 13:51 p.m, against its schedule departure of 10 a.m., completing a turnaround delay.