Air India on Monday issued an apology and said it launched a probe after passengers on its San Francisco-Mumbai flight reported spotting cockroaches mid-air.
The incident occurred on flight AI 180, which has a stopover in Kolkata. According to an Air India spokesperson, two passengers complained about "a few small cockroaches" during the journey.
"Our cabin crew, therefore, relocated the two passengers to other seats in the same cabin, where they were comfortable thereafter," the spokesperson said.
During the scheduled fuel stop in Kolkata, ground crew conducted a deep cleaning of the aircraft to address the issue. The flight subsequently departed on time for its final destination in Mumbai.
"Despite our regular fumigation efforts, insects can sometimes enter an aircraft during ground operations. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to the passengers," the airline added.
Air India also said it would conduct a "comprehensive investigation" to determine the source and cause of the incident and take preventive measures to ensure it does not recur.
The incident comes at a time when the Tata Group-owned carrier is already facing heat for persistent operational challenges, including delays, service complaints, and maintenance issues. The airline is also under intense scrutiny following the deadly Dreamliner crash in June and findings of a host of safety violations in an audit by aviation watchdog DGCA.
Back in June, an Air India flight from Tokyo to Delhi was diverted to Kolkata due to unusually high cabin temperatures, while another from Mumbai to Chennai returned soon after take-off over a burning smell in the cabin.
An Air India Express flight from Delhi to Jammu also turned back mid-air because of a technical fault. Around the same time, flight AI 180 from San Francisco experienced an engine snag during its Kolkata stopover, delaying passengers for hours.
The airline has frequently come under fire for lapses in in-flight hygiene. Last September, a passenger on a Delhi-New York flight reported finding a cockroach in her omelette, which led to her child falling ill. Prior to that, a blade was discovered in a fig-chaat meal on a Bengaluru-San Francisco flight, further stoking concerns over food safety.
