Air India suspends 3 employees after flight with civil aviation minister on board is delayed
The AI 459 Delhi-Vijayawada flight was scheduled to depart at 6 am but took off at 7.23 am.

Air India suspended three staff members and issued a warning to a pilot on Wednesday after a flight with over 100 passengers, including Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, on board was delayed by nearly one-and-a-half hours.
The AI 459 Delhi-Vijayawada flight was scheduled to leave at 6 am but took off at 7.23 am. Furious passengers confronted Raju, who then called Air India Chairperson and Managing Director Pradeep Kharola to ask about the delay, ANI reported.
The airline’s operation wing decided to delay the take-off because of poor visibility, but did not communicate this to the ground staff, who started boarding as scheduled, NDTV reported. The departure was delayed further when the pilot reportedly stopped at the security check because of a problem with his airport pass.
Yesterday Air India AI 459 Delhi to Vijaywada flight was delayed by around 1.30 hours with over 100 passengers including minister of civil aviation P Ashok Gajapati Raju onboard: Air India Spokesperson GP Rao
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017
Flight finally took off for Vijaywada after 1.30 hours. Meanwhile Air India took action against three staffers,who have been suspended and a warning letter has been issued to the captain for reaching the airport late: Air India Spokesperson GP Rao
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017