Etihad Airways cancelled flight EY217 from Delhi to Abu Dhabi on Saturday night after a technical fault was discovered on its Boeing 787‑9, leaving roughly 200 passengers stranded at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The flight, scheduled to depart at 9:15 pm, had already begun boarding when the crew announced a malfunction; passengers were asked to de‑board while the aircraft was inspected.
The incident was reported by PTI, which noted that the aircraft was operating under the ET 217 flight number. Flight‑tracking sites confirm the model, but the specific fault remains undisclosed. Passengers, many of whom had business ties in Abu Dhabi, were forced to wait in the terminal for hours without clear guidance.
An Etihad representative said the airline is reviewing the technical issue and will provide a replacement flight as soon as possible. Meanwhile, travelers are scrambling for alternate routes, contacting other carriers and booking late‑night flights to nearby cities.
The Delhi airport authorities have opened additional gates for stranded passengers and are arranging hotel accommodations for those whose flights are delayed until the next day. The airline will announce a revised schedule early next morning, but for now, passengers remain on‑ground, hoping for a swift resolution.
The incident underscores the growing scrutiny of airline maintenance protocols amid a surge in international travel, and it may prompt regulators to revisit safety oversight for long‑haul aircraft.