Now, passenger on Air India flight finds stone in meal: 'Unacceptable'

Air India has already been under the scanner of aviation regulator DGCA over multiple flight incidents, including the controversial ‘pee’ scandal.

Amid severe scrutiny over the urination incident and a few episodes on flights, Air India has landed in another controversy after a woman complained about getting a stone in the in-flight meal served to her. The passenger took to Twitter to raise the issue to Air India, saying that kind of negligence was "unacceptable". “You don’t need resources and money to ensure stone-free food Air India. This is what I received in my food served in the flight AI 215 today. Crew member Ms. Jadon was informed. This kind of negligence is unacceptable,” the Twitter user, named Sarvapriya Sangwan, wrote.

A passenger on Air India flight found a stone in the meal served to her. (Twitter)

The tweet drew a huge traction from other users on the micro-blogging platform who condemned the Tata Group-acquired airline over repeated incidents of gross negligence.

“Dear @TataCompanies: JRD Tata once set standards for the aviation industry. He built #AirIndia into a globally respected brand, before Govt took it over. Now that you’re back as owners, hitting new lows? Is there no corporate oversight? How do you manage #PeeGate, and now this,” wrote one user, replying to the tweet.

“I had several times quality issues with paid food served in Air India Express for which no solution was provided,” another user replied, tagging Air India and its subsidiary, Air India Express.

Air India's response

Air India, which is currently under the aviation regulator's scanner over multiple flight incidents, was quick to respond to the situation. “Dear Ma'am, this is concerning and we're taking this up immediately with our Catering team. Please allow us some time to get back. We appreciate you bringing this to our notice,” the airline replied to the complainant's tweet.

In another statement, the airline said: “Air India has taken serious note of the incident where a passenger found stone in her in-flight meal on AI 215. We sincerely regret this incident and have apologised to the passenger. We have taken up the matter with the caterer and will be initiating strict action against the caterer.”

Air India urination incident, and where it stands

The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sought a report from Air India over the controversial episode on the November 26 New York-Delhi flight where a drunk man urinated on an elderly woman co-passenger in the business class. The accused, identified as Shankar Mishra, was traced to Bengaluru and arrested. The Delhi Police had registered an FIR against him on January 4 based on a complaint by the woman to Air India. He was sent to judicial remand for 14 days by a Delhi court.

Meanwhile, statements of two crew members are being recorded by the Delhi Police on Tuesday.