Air India says sorry after cockroach scare on San Francisco-Mumbai flight
Passengers were moved and aircraft cleaned during Kolkata layover
DUBAI: Air India has issued an apology after passengers on its ultra-long-haul San Francisco–Mumbai flight (AI180) spotted cockroaches mid-air.
The incident, which unfolded on Saturday, was first reported by two passengers.
The airline – part of the Tata Group – confirmed that the cabin crew promptly relocated the affected passengers to different seats within the same cabin, according to The Times of India. The flight included a scheduled fuel stop in Kolkata, where ground crew conducted a deep cleaning before the aircraft continued to Mumbai, landing early Monday.
Cockroaches onboard
According to an Air India spokesperson, passengers encountered “a few small cockroaches” while in the air. “Despite our regular fumigation efforts, insects can sometimes enter during ground operations,” the airline stated, adding that it would launch a comprehensive investigation to determine the source and prevent future occurrences.
The airline also expressed sincere regret for the inconvenience and assured passengers that additional preventive measures would be implemented.
The airline continues to face mounting scrutiny over a string of operational issues. In June, an Air India Dreamliner crash led to a DGCA audit revealing several safety lapses.
Around the same time, a Tokyo–Delhi flight was diverted to Kolkata due to high cabin temperatures, while a Mumbai–Chennai service returned shortly after take-off following reports of a burning smell in the cabin.