Italy, Oct 19: Festive plans for hundreds of Indian passengers were thrown into disarray when Air India abruptly cancelled its Milan–Delhi flight (AI138), just days before Diwali.

The airline cited “extended technical requirements” as the reason for grounding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, leaving over 250 passengers stranded at Milan’s airport.

The cancellation has sparked frustration among travelers, many of whom were returning home to celebrate Diwali with their families. Air India has since rebooked affected passengers on flights scheduled for October 20 or later — meaning most will miss the festival entirely.

In response, the airline arranged temporary hotel accommodations, though limited availability forced some passengers to stay outside the airport vicinity. Ground assistance, including meals, is being provided, and in exceptional cases — such as visa expiry — alternate arrangements have been made.

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Air India has expressed regret over the disruption and emphasized that passenger safety remains its top priority. However, the incident has reignited concerns over the airline’s preparedness and contingency planning during peak travel seasons.