New Delhi: Passengers in rows 32 and 33 of Air India’s new Airbus A350 aircraft flying from New York to Delhi were rudely awakened by vibrations in the floor and sounds under their feet, reports Saurabh Sinha. They alerted the crew. While flying near the coast of Ireland at the time, the pilot decided to divert to Shannon, and the AI 102 aircraft (VT-JRF) with 300 people on board landed safely in Shannon. In all such intercontinental diversions, the main issue is visa issues for passengers leaving the airport and traveling to their hotels. Airline sources said the same arrangement had been made by AI and everyone on the flight had been sent to the hotel. Alternative arrangements are being made for their return as the aircraft are being inspected in line with Airbus advice. “This may be a case of JFK ground staff not securing the cargo properly or a panel being loose,” the source said. “As of now, the aircraft is being inspected and no information can be released.”

