India, Oct. 19 -- Hundreds of passengers, who were hoping to join their families in India for Diwali celebrations, were left stranded in Italy's Milan after Air India's flight AI138 to Delhi was abruptly cancelled on Friday.

The flight, which was scheduled to bring 256 passengers and 10 crew members home for Diwali, could not take off after what the airline described as an "extended technical requirement."

The flight was cancelled due to a technical snag in the aircraft, the airline said.

However, the last-minute cancellation evidently hampered travel plans for many who were counting on reaching home before Diwali celebrations in India on October 20.

In an official statement, Air India said the decision to cancel the flight was taken ...