Air India to operate ferry flight to fly passengers from Russia to San Francisco

Air India will operate a ferry flight from Mumbai at 1:00 pm on Wednesday to Russia to transport San Francisco-bound passengers who are currently stranded following a technical problem en route.

"The ferry flight is scheduled to operate to GDX (Magadan) from Mumbai, on June 7 at 13:00 IST, subject to necessary regulatory clearances, to carry passengers and crew of AI173 onward to San Francisco," the airline said in a statement. on Wednesday.

The ferry will carry food and other necessities for passengers, it said.

Air India flight AI173 operating from Delhi to San Francisco on June 6 experienced a technical problem with one of its engines en route.

The flight with 216 passengers and 16 crew members was diverted to Magadan, Russia (GDX) where it landed safely.

The airline also said that "all of us at Air India are concerned about the passengers and staff and are making every effort to get the ferry service up and running as soon as possible and to ensure the health, safety and security of everyone while they wait." .

"Due to infrastructural constraints around the remote airport, "we can confirm that all passengers were eventually shifted to temporary accommodation after making sincere efforts to accommodate passengers in on-site hotels with the help of local government authorities," Air India said.

On Tuesday, Air India said that "all passengers and crew of AI173 are currently being accommodated in local hotels in Magadan".

She noted that the airline does not have employees based in the remote city of Magadan or in Russia, and the support provided to passengers "is the best possible under these unusual circumstances."

This support is provided through the airline's 24/7 liaison with the Consulate General of India in Vladivostok, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, local ground handlers and "Russian authorities".

Air India said it was in touch with the local authorities at Magadan airport, who extended all cooperation and support after the flight arrived there.