Flight grounded moments before take-off from Dubai; crew exceeds duty hours, causing delay and cancellation
Passengers aboard Air India Express flight IX814 from Dubai to Mangaluru faced an unexpected disruption on Sunday night (November 2, 2025) after the aircraft was grounded moments before take-off due to a technical fault. The incident left over 110 passengers, mostly Indian expatriates bound for Karnataka and Kerala, stranded overnight in Dubai, reported aviationa2z.com.
Despite the issue being rectified later, aviation duty time limits prevented the crew from operating, leading to the flight’s cancellation and a 24-hour delay that also affected the airline’s subsequent Dubai–Mangaluru service (IX832) on Monday.
Airline provides hotel stay, rebooking options, and refund offers to stranded travelers
Air India Express confirmed the development, emphasizing that passenger safety and regulatory compliance were prioritized over operational convenience. The airline arranged full-board hotel accommodation, airport transfers, and support for rebooking or refunds for all affected passengers.
A replacement flight (IX824) was deployed the following evening to transport stranded travelers, while those booked on the Monday flight were informed in advance and offered alternate arrangements.
According to sources, most passengers were Indian nationals returning home, including families with children and elderly travelers. Airline staff coordinated passenger care throughout the delay, ensuring accommodation and timely updates.
In a statement, Air India Express issued a public apology, acknowledging the inconvenience and reaffirming its commitment to operational transparency and safety-first standards.
The airline, a subsidiary of Air India under the Tata Group, operates frequent routes connecting Gulf cities with southern India and is currently expanding its fleet and modernizing operations as part of its integration into the broader Air India ecosystem.
