DELHI— Around 200 passengers faced a major travel disruption after Etihad Airways (EY) cancelled flight EY217 from Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (DEL), to Abu Dhabi International Airport, Abu Dhabi (AUH), late Saturday evening.
The cancellation followed a technical issue involving the Boeing 787-9 aircraft scheduled to operate the service.
The flight was scheduled to depart at around 9:15 pm, but the aircraft did not leave Delhi after the crew identified a technical problem. Passengers who had already boarded were asked to leave the aircraft while the airline assessed the situation.
Etihad Cancels Flight, 200 Passengers Stranded
Passengers remained at the airport for several hours as they waited for further information about the Delhi-Abu Dhabi flight.
The airline subsequently announced that EY217 would not operate, leaving affected travellers to make alternative arrangements for their journey.
The incident caused disruption for passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi, including those who may have had onward connections from the UAE capital. With the scheduled service cancelled after boarding, travellers had to wait for information about their next available travel options.
Reports from passengers indicated that the crew initially informed them about the technical issue before the cancellation was confirmed. However, the exact nature of the problem affecting the aircraft was not immediately disclosed.
Boeing 787-9 Aircraft Involved in Incident
Flight-tracking data identified a Boeing 787-9 as the aircraft planned for EY217. The aircraft type is part of Etihad’s long-haul fleet and is regularly used on international services from its Abu Dhabi hub.
The technical problem was detected before the aircraft could begin its scheduled journey to the UAE.
Safety and technical inspections can require additional time when an aircraft develops an issue before departure, although details of the checks carried out in this case have not been made public.
Flight-tracking records also show that EY217 was listed as cancelled on September 19, while the service operated on previous days. The available tracking information does not provide a specific explanation for the cancellation.
Passengers Seek Alternative Travel Options Elsewhere
Following the cancellation, the affected passengers were left looking for alternative ways to reach Abu Dhabi. The disruption was particularly significant because many travellers had already completed the boarding process before being asked to deboard.
The incident highlights how an unexpected aircraft technical issue can affect an international flight even after passengers have boarded.
It also shows the wider operational impact of a cancellation on travellers who may have connecting flights, hotel bookings or other plans at their destination.
As of the latest available reports, Etihad had not publicly provided specific details about the technical fault that affected the Boeing 787-9.
Further information about passenger rebooking arrangements or the cause of the issue was not immediately available, India Today reported.
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