Air India's replacement flight for passengers stranded in Russia lands safely in San Francisco
Air India's replacement flight for passengers of the diverted San Francisco-bound flight has finally landed safely in San Francisco on 8 June.
PremiumTwo days after the emergency landing of a San-Francisco bound Air India flight in Russia, the replacement flight has finally landed safely in San Francisco on 8 June.
Air India had sent the replacement flight on Wednesday for 232 passengers who were stuck in Russia's Magadan port city.
As per Air India's statement, 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, it added.
The carrier further thanked the government agencies, regulatory authorities, staff and partners involved in supporting to bring passengers to SFO.
Earlier on 6 June, after finding a technical glitch in the aeroplane, the Air India flight was diverted to Russia's Far East. The engine trouble in Boeing 777 plane could have led to a major mishap, which was averted by the emergency landing.
In Washington, US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel had said fewer than 50 American citizens were on the plane and the department was not aware of any of them reaching out to the US Embassy in Russia or other diplomatic posts.
Most of the passengers were accommodated inside the school buildings, college hostels. Despite the lack of facilities, passengers said that the Russian authorities, police and other officials treated them very well.
Passenger Girvaan Singh Kahma, 16, who was traveling with his uncle and brother, said they were barred from leaving the hostel in Magadan and were unable to use their credit cards because of sanctions over Russia's war on Ukraine.
“The first day and a half was really hard for all of us," he said. "The weather went to 3 to 4 degrees (Celsius) in the morning, and in the night it was bitter cold," he told Associated Press. “The Russian soldiers, the Russian police, the authorities, everyone working in the hostel has been treating us extremely well," he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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