Mohammad Siraj calls Air India Express 'worst airline' after 4-hour delay

India fast-bowler Mohammad Siraj on Wednesday night openly criticised Air India Express after his flight from Guwahati to Hyderabad was delayed for four hours without any clear explanation. The flight, scheduled for 7.25 pm, never took off as planned, leaving passengers stuck at the airport and unsure about what was happening.

Siraj vents on social media

The cricketer took to X to share what he described as a deeply frustrating experience.
“Air India flight No. IX 2884 from Guwahati to Hyderabad was supposed to depart at 7:25pm, yet there has been no communication from the airline. Even after repeated follow-ups, they’ve only delayed the flight without giving any proper reason. It’s extremely frustrating, and this is the basic expectation of any passenger,” Siraj wrote.

He followed it up with another post:

“Flight delayed by 4 hours and still no update has left us stranded. Worst airline experience,” he added, warning others to avoid booking unless the airline “can take a stand.”

Air India Express apologises

Minutes after Siraj’s post gained traction, the airline responded publicly. Air India Express apologised for the disruption, stating the flight had been cancelled “due to unforeseen operational reasons.” It said its airport staff were helping passengers with arrangements and added, “We understand how difficult this situation is, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding.”

A rough week for the pacer

Siraj was flying back to Hyderabad after India suffered a heavy 408-run defeat to South Africa, completing a 0-2 Test series loss. The defeat was India’s biggest in terms of runs and marked South Africa’s largest winning margin over them.

India had earlier fallen short by 30 runs in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The team now turns its focus to the three-match ODI series against South Africa beginning November 30.