Siraj Calls Out Airline; Air India Finally Remembers It Has Passengers

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj had an exhausting day both on and off the field. A day after India suffered a massive 408-run defeat to South Africa — completing a 0–2 series whitewash — Siraj faced another blow: an endlessly delayed, poorly managed Air India Express flight that left passengers clueless for hours.

Siraj was on his way back home after India’s crushing Test-series loss — their second consecutive clean sweep at home following last year’s 3–0 humiliation against New Zealand. The margin in the latest match was India’s biggest Test defeat by runs and also South Africa’s largest against India. The series had started poorly too, with India going down by 30 runs in the first Test at Eden Gardens. The focus now shifts to the ODI series beginning November 30, but for Siraj, the immediate fight was at the airport — not on the pitch.

Flight IX 2884, scheduled to depart from Guwahati for Hyderabad at 7:25 pm, kept getting postponed without any explanation. What made the situation worse was the complete silence from the airline. Passengers waited. And waited. And waited — with zero updates.

Finally, a visibly frustrated Siraj voiced what every stranded traveller was feeling.
He posted on X:

“There has been no communication from the airline. After repeatedly following up, they’ve just delayed the flight without giving any proper reason. Four hours of delay and still no information… This has been extremely frustrating.”

Calling it his “worst airline experience,” Siraj even warned others against choosing this flight unless they were willing to put up with such treatment.

Air India flight no IX 2884 from Guwahati to Hyderabad was supposed to take off at 7.25 however there has been no communication from the airline and after repeatedly following up, they have just delayed the flight with no proper reasoning. This has been really frustrating and…

— Mohammed Siraj (@mdsirajofficial) November 26, 2025

Only after his post gained traction did Air India Express respond — and the update wasn’t reassuring. The airline announced that the flight had been cancelled altogether, blaming “unforeseen operational reasons.”

“We regret to inform you that the flight has been cancelled… Our team is assisting passengers with necessary arrangements,” the airline said in a reply, claiming to appreciate passengers’ patience — something that had clearly run out hours earlier.

We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused, Mr Siraj. We regret to inform you that the flight has been cancelled due to unforeseen operational reasons. Our team at the airport is actively assisting all guests with the necessary arrangements. We understand how difficult…

— Air India Express (@AirIndiaX) November 26, 2025

For many travellers, Siraj’s post felt like the only reason the airline bothered to communicate at all. Until then, passengers were left to guess their fate at a terminal with no clarity, no announcements, and no accountability.

Siraj returned home later than expected, but the episode sparked a conversation millions of Indian flyers relate to: delayed flights, poor communication, and airlines that respond only when someone with a blue tick raises their voice.

Also Read: India Outclassed, Outplayed, Out of Answers: South Africa End 25-Year Wait in Style