Tuesday 17 / February / 2026
Muscat: More than 125 passengers travelling from Muscat International Airport to New Delhi on Air India Express flight IX 164 faced significant inconvenience after their departure was delayed by more than five hours late Tuesday night.
Travellers initially received a message stating that their flight AI-9234, operated by Air India Express from Muscat (MCT) to New Delhi (DEL) on February 17, 2026, had been rescheduled due to “operational reasons,” with a new departure time of 01:30 hrs on February 18.
However, confusion mounted as subsequent messages pushed the departure time further to 02:35 hrs, then 03:20 hrs, and finally 03:50 hrs, leaving passengers frustrated and uncertain about their onward travel plans.
Several agitated passengers approached the airline’s counter at the airport seeking clarification. Airline staff attributed the delay to “unavoidable circumstances and a technical issue,” and apologised for the inconvenience. Officials informed travellers that food had been arranged at the airport’s food court after clearing immigration formalities.
Despite the arrangement, many passengers expressed concern over missing their connecting flights from New Delhi. Some worried about the high cost of purchasing last-minute tickets and the financial loss of pre-booked onward journeys.
“You know how expensive same-day tickets are,” one passenger said. “On top of that, I may lose the money for the flight I’ve already paid for. Who will bear that loss?”
An Air India official said that a travel desk had been arranged in New Delhi to assist affected passengers with their connecting flights. However, many travellers remained anxious about missing important meetings and commitments, with no option but to wait through the night for the rescheduled departure.
The flight with 130 passengers was scheduled to depart from Muscat for New Delhi at 11.30 pm.
