New Delhi/IBNS: A Paris-New Delhi Air India flight's diversion to Jaipur and the pilots' refusal to fly further after completing their duty hours sparked chaos on Monday with several passengers left stranded for many hours.

The passengers had to ultimately travel to the national capital by road.

NDTV quoting sources reported that Air India did not arrange an alternative flight as doing so would have taken longer and rather sent the passengers to Delhi on a bus.

Air India flight AI-2022  took off from Paris at 10 pm on Sunday and was scheduled to reach Delhi at 10.35 am on Monday. The flight was diverted to Jaipur on Monday morning owing to heavy smog in the national capital.

At the Jaipur airport, the pilots refused to fly anymore as the aircraft was waiting for clearance to resume its journey to Delhi. They cited completion of duty hours.

As per the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules framed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the crew members are supposed to get enough rest to prevent fatigue-related safety issues.

The stranded passengers, whose journey to Delhi was already delayed by several hours, demanded an alternate flight.

Slamming Air India's management, an X user Visha P wrote: "Shameful and pathetic management from @airindia today as flight #AI2022 from CDG-DEL diverted to JAI. Pax stranded at JAI asked to spend 5 hrs inside the aircraft and then to take a bus from JAI to DEL. My wife and two months old is suffering and I am helpless."

Another user, Giridhara Upadhayaya, wrote on X: "@airindia is not helping passengers from Paris to Bengaluru stranded in Jaipur since 12 noon.there is a mother with 2 months baby and they are not in the mood to assist. Very inhuman staff...(sic)"

According to reports, the passengers were ultimately sent to Delhi via bus after strong protests.