An Air India flight carrying 216 passengers successfully landed in San Francisco (SFO) at 12:07 am (12:37 pm IST) on Thursday, bringing an end to the harrowing experience of being stranded in the remote Russian town of Magadan for two days. The passengers had been left stranded due to an emergency landing caused by a technical fault.
In a statement, Air India expressed gratitude to the government agencies, regulatory authorities, their staff, and partners for their support in ensuring the passengers’ well-being during their wait in Magadan, Russia. The airline assured that all passengers were receiving maximum on-ground assistance, including assistance with clearance formalities and other necessary support.the flight from Magadan departed at 10:27 loca
l time (4:57 am IST) and additional on-ground support was mobilized at SFO to facilitate the clearance formalities for all passengers upon arrival. The team at SFO was fully prepared to provide any necessary assistance, including medical care, ground transportation, and onward connections.
Prior to the arrival in San Francisco, a ferry flight had departed from Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon and reached Sokol airport in Magadan by midnight. This was part of Air India’s efforts to provide support to the stranded passengers and staff in Magadan. The airline flew a team from Mumbai, equipped with essentials and food for the passengers on their onward journey to San Francisco. The flight duration from Mumbai to Magadan was approximately six-and-a-half hours.
Stranded Passengers Rescued: Air India Flight Safely Lands in San Francisco after Ordeal in Magadan
It is worth noting that Air India does not have any staff based in Magadan or Russia. Therefore, they sought the assistance of Rossiya Airlines, one of Russia’s oldest and largest air carriers, to ensure the smooth handling of the situation. The stranded passengers were relocated to a school near the airport, with accommodations arranged by the transport minister of the Magadan region. Women with children and pregnant women were provided shelter in the dormitory of a medical college.
The United States was closely monitoring the situation, particularly considering the presence of American citizens among the stranded passengers. Some of the stranded passengers voiced their concerns about the lack of amenities during their ordeal.
Stranded Passengers Rescued: Air India Flight Successfully Lands in San Francisco, Ending Ordeal in Magadan
Air India officials emphasized that they provided comprehensive support to the passengers through continuous coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Consulate General of India in Vladivostok, and Russian authorities. To address inquiries and concerns, the airline activated a hotline number dedicated to the matter.
The aircraft had made an emergency landing in rural Siberia after deviating from its intended route by approximately two hours. Given the absence of five-star hotels in Magadan, the airline made arrangements for the passengers to stay at a school.
In conclusion, the successful landing of the Air India flight in San Francisco marked the end of a distressing chapter for the stranded passengers who had endured an emergency landing and subsequent days of uncertainty in Magadan. The airline’s efforts, along with the support of various authorities and partners, ensured the well-being and assistance of the passengers throughout the ordeal.