130 Passengers Stranded at Muscat Airport as Air India Express Flight Delayed by Technical Snag

Air India Express passengers travelling from Muscat International Airport to New Delhi experienced a delay of more than five hours on Tuesday night after their flight IX 164 was postponed due to a technical issue.

The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 11:30 pm on February 17, 2026, was first rescheduled to 01:30 hrs on February 18 citing “operational reasons.” Subsequent updates pushed the departure further to 02:35 hrs, then 03:20 hrs, and finally 03:50 hrs, leaving passengers frustrated and uncertain about their onward travel arrangements.

Airport staff reported that many passengers approached the airline counter seeking clarification, with officials attributing the delay to “unavoidable circumstances” related to technical maintenance. The airline arranged for meals at the airport food court after immigration formalities to ease the inconvenience.

Despite these measures, travellers expressed concerns about missing connecting flights from New Delhi and potential financial losses due to 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?”

Air India officials confirmed that a dedicated travel desk had been set up in New Delhi to assist affected passengers with connecting flights. However, many passengers remained anxious about missing important appointments or commitments, with no option but to wait overnight for the rescheduled departure.

The delayed flight carried 130 passengers, marking a significant disruption at Muscat International Airport and highlighting the challenges travellers face when technical issues affect international flights.