Unexpected Layover Luxury: Thai Lion Air’s Technical Glitch Turns Passengers Into VIP Guests

One of Thai Lion Air planes, traveling from Kolkata to Bangkok, was abruptly cancelled in the early hours of Saturday, July 5, 2025, when the aircraft encountered a technical issue at the eleventh hour of departure. The ordeal left 130 passengers and seven crew members stranded at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport for a while.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Flight Details: The flight in question was a Boeing 737-800 flight from Kolkata at 2:35 am to Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport.

 

Technical Problem: Within minutes of pushback, the aircraft had a flap malfunction, one of the key systems needed for safe take-off and landing. The pilots asked to be guided back to the parking bay, where the aircraft was grounded for safety inspections.

 

Instant Reaction: The flight was officially canceled for the day, airline officials stated, citing passenger safety as their top priority.

 

Passenger Experience: The passengers were frustrated and angry, with some shouting at airline employees. No safety issues or injuries were reported.

 

Accommodation Arranged: The 130 passengers were all accommodated in a hotel as the airline struggled to resolve the technical problem. There has not been any new departure time made public to the current updates.

 

Official Statements: The Airports Authority of India and Thai Lion Air both stated the cancellation and ensured that all such arrangements were made in place for the comfort and safety of the passengers.

 

Current Status: The flight is still cancelled, and the airline is working with passengers on alternative travel plans.

 

The accident underscores the necessity of thorough pre-flight inspections and the airline industry's commitment to the safety of passengers, although at the cost of mass travel dislocations.

 

Source: Press Trust of India via Financial Express, Economic Times, Rediff, Times Now, Deccan Herald, NewsDrum, and Airports Authority of India.