Bhoomi Chauhan’s recent trip to India turned into a life-changing experience when she missed her Air India flight back to London by just 10 minutes. The 28-year-old business student from Bristol faced severe traffic delays on her way to Ahmedabad airport, which ultimately prevented her from boarding AI171. This flight tragically crashed shortly after take-off, resulting in the deaths of 241 passengers and 12 crew members, along with casualties on the ground.
Arriving at the airport at 12:20 PM, she found the boarding process had already closed. Despite having checked-in online and holding a digital boarding pass, airline staff refused her entry to the aircraft. “I was filled with anger and disappointment when we were turned away,” she admitted. On the brink of seeking a refund with her travel agent, she received shocking news that the flight had gone down.
Chauhan, who had been relaxing with tea after the disappointment of missing her flight, now describes her situation as miraculous. “If I had started earlier, I would have boarded the plane,” she reflected, while sharing her story with BBC Gujarati.
As details continue to pour in about this tragic incident, including the initial struggle of the flight moments after takeoff, the news has deeply affected those with loved ones involved in the tragedy. Emergency services have been tirelessly working to recover debris and provide answers to the families of victims, leaving many to grapple with the sudden loss and chaos.
Chauhan's story is a stark reminder of how unpredictable life can be, and has sparked conversations around travel safety and the importance of timely arrivals at airports.
Arriving at the airport at 12:20 PM, she found the boarding process had already closed. Despite having checked-in online and holding a digital boarding pass, airline staff refused her entry to the aircraft. “I was filled with anger and disappointment when we were turned away,” she admitted. On the brink of seeking a refund with her travel agent, she received shocking news that the flight had gone down.
Chauhan, who had been relaxing with tea after the disappointment of missing her flight, now describes her situation as miraculous. “If I had started earlier, I would have boarded the plane,” she reflected, while sharing her story with BBC Gujarati.
As details continue to pour in about this tragic incident, including the initial struggle of the flight moments after takeoff, the news has deeply affected those with loved ones involved in the tragedy. Emergency services have been tirelessly working to recover debris and provide answers to the families of victims, leaving many to grapple with the sudden loss and chaos.
Chauhan's story is a stark reminder of how unpredictable life can be, and has sparked conversations around travel safety and the importance of timely arrivals at airports.
