Air India clueless of bedbug source on its US flight
18/02/2019
new delhi: It's been six months but Air India has still not been able to ascertain the main source of bedbugs that left several passengers 'red' on AI's 144 Newark-Mumbai flight in July 2018.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said that no particular source could be established. AI has carried out extensive fumigation on its aircraft to eliminate the bedbugs.
Several passengers sitting in the business class section of the Newark-Mumbai flight had posted pictures and messages of bedbug bites on social media. After the incident, AI had even grounded two aircraft on the Mumbai-Newark route for fumigation. Saumya Shetty, who was bitten by bedbugs on the flight and had sought refund said, "I cannot believe AI could not establish the source. I think the aircraft that fly on the Mumbai-Newark route are old and not maintained, the reason they have bedbugs."
The issue was raised in Parliament last week during which the MoCA said: "Bedbugs were reported by passengers on Air India Flight No.144 (Newark- Mumbai). After passenger complaints, thorough investigation was carried out. Bedbugs were found on some seats of the aircraft." The MoCA further said, "AI carried out extensive fumigation/bedbug treatment on all its aircraft.
No particular source could be established for the bedbug on Air India aircraft. On arrival of the aircraft in Mumbai, bedbug treatment (intensive spraying of Chlorophosphide, Protex & Ektara) was carried out on the aircraft before further flight."
Air India had also assured to refund the money of some business class passengers on the 20-hour flight. An AI official said, "In case of bedbugs it is not possible to establish a particular source. It could have possibly come from a passenger's bag."
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