Air India faces Venkaiah Naidu's wrath on Twitter after pilot fails to turn up

New Delhi: Livid over having to miss an "important" appointment after the pilot of an Air India flight to Hyderabad did not turn up, Union Minister M Vankaiah Naidu on Tuesday said the state-run carrier needed to explain how such things were happening.

"I had to travel to Hyderabad by Air India AI544 which is to depart at 1315 hrs... was told on time.. reached airport by 1230 hrs. Was informed at 1315 hrs that flight was delayed as d pilot had not yet come. Waited up to 1345 hrs, boarding didn't start. returned 2 home," Naidu said in a series of tweets.

Asserting that Air India should explain how such things are happening, he added that transparency and accountability are the need of the hour.

He further stated that the airline must take note that this is the age of competition and such mistakes could not be made.

Sources said Naidu was going to Hyderabad to attend a meeting on the 'Swachh Bharat' campaign.

Soon after Naidu's tweets, the public carrier expressed regret for the inconvenience caused, while Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said he had asked Air India to conduct an inquiry and take action.

"Sir, we deeply regret the inconvenience caused due to flt delay. The pilot was stuck in traffic jam. Enquiry has been ordered," Air India tweeted.

Raju said,"Service disruptions are unacceptable and have to be eliminated. Have asked AI to enquire and take action on priority."

"Cognizance taken, CMD @airindia to enquire into the incident. Thanks for the feedback," said Raju's deputy Mahesh Sharma.