Air India's Ferry Flight With Stranded Passengers From Russia Reaches San Francisco

An Air India ferry flight that was moved from Mumbai to pick up passengers stranded for nearly two days in Russia's Magadan safely landed in San Francisco.

As per the airline, Flight AI173D landed safely in San Francisco (SFO) at 0007 hours on 08 June 2023 (local time). "All our passengers are being extended maximum on-ground assistance with clearance formalities and provided other necessary support," Air India said in a tweet.

"Flight AI173D from Magadan, Russia (GDX) is now airborne for San Francisco (SFO), carrying all passengers and crew. The flight departed GDX at 1027 Hours on 08 June 2023 (local time) and is expected to arrive at SFO at 0015 Hours on 08 June 2023 (local time)," the airline said in an earlier statement.

Air India had mobilised additional on-ground support at SFO to carry out the clearance formalities for all passengers upon arrival, it said. "The team at SFO is prepared to provide all necessary assistance to the passengers, including but not limited to medical care, ground transportation, and onward connections in applicable cases," the press release from Air India added.

Flight AI173 from Delhi was diverted to Magadan in Russia on Tuesday owing to an engine glitch. The stranded passengers were housed in dormitories. "Given the infrastructural limitations around the remote airport, we can confirm that all passengers were eventually moved to makeshift accommodations, after making sincere attempts to accommodate passengers in hotel locally with the help of local government authorities.

As we do not have any Air India staff based in the remote town of Magadan or in Russia, all ground support being provided to the passengers in the best possible in this unusual circumstance through our round the clock liaison with the Consulate General of India in Vladivostok, Ministry of External Affair, local ground handlers and the Russian authorities," a press release from Air India said.

A replacement flight was sent from Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon.

On the other hand, the US Department of State has said that there were less than 50 American citizens on board the San Francisco-bound Air India flight that had to make an emergency landing in Russia's remote town of Magadan.

"We understand that there were less than 50 US citizens aboard that flight. We also understand that a relief aircraft is expected to arrive later today to assist the Air India flight and the passengers continue on with their route," Vedant Patel, the deputy spokesperson of the State Department, told reporters.