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Air India Express flight cancellation sparks passenger protest at Kochi airport

Passengers heading to Sharjah expressed their frustration after Air India Express abruptly cancelled their scheduled flight on Friday morning. The last-minute cancellation left travellers stranded and prompted demonstrations at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

LSN India · 18 September 2026

Air India Express flight cancellation sparks passenger protest at Kochi airport

Passengers arriving at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Friday morning encountered significant disruption when Air India Express cancelled their scheduled service to Sharjah without adequate prior notice. The sudden decision to ground the flight prompted agitated passengers to stage protests at the airport terminal, citing the inconvenience caused by the last-minute cancellation.

Travellers who had made travel arrangements and arrived at the airport in anticipation of their departure expressed frustration over the airline's handling of the situation. The cancellation, announced only hours before the scheduled departure time, left passengers scrambling to explore alternative travel options and raised concerns about communication gaps between the airline and its customers.

Air India Express, which operates extensive services on the India-Gulf corridor, has not yet issued an official statement regarding the reasons for the flight cancellation. The incident highlights recurring challenges faced by passengers when unexpected flight disruptions occur without sufficient advance notice or clear explanations from carriers.

The protest underscores growing passenger frustration with airline operations in India, particularly concerning last-minute schedule changes that affect travel plans and cause financial losses to travellers.