Summary
- Passengers refused to leave the tarmac at Mumbai Airport after a Delhi-bound IndiGo flight was diverted there.
- Both IndiGo and Mumbai Airport have been served notices for their handling of the situation.
Indian passengers frustrated by seasonal fog-related delays and diversions are manifesting their anger in different ways. In a recent incident, the occupants of an IndiGo aircraft refused to leave the tarmac at Mumbai Airport after their Goa-Delhi flight was diverted to the city. Both IndiGo and Mumbai Airport have been served notices for the way they handled the situation.
Passengers refuse to leave the tarmac
With heavy fog engulfing much of North India, airlines and passengers are facing frequent flight diversions and delays. In the last few days, instances of irate passengers venting their anger dramatically have surfaced on social media.
One such incident took place at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) when a Delhi-bound IndiGo flight from Goa had to be diverted due to dense fog in Delhi. One user wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the flight was delayed by 12 hours only to be diverted to Mumbai.
It seems the diversion to Mumbai was the last straw, and the occupants of the plane disembarked and refused to leave the tarmac at the airport. Some were even seen sitting on the ground next to the aircraft and eating meals provided by IndiGo. The Hindu quotes a Mumbai Airport official as saying,
“IndiGo flight 6E 2195 (Goa to Delhi) was diverted due to unfavourable weather conditions. As the flight was already significantly delayed in Goa, passengers were irate and rushed out of the aircraft as soon as the step ladder was connected.”
Government serves notice
Passengers are expected to head straight to the terminal after disembarking and not stay at the tarmac. As such, the recent incident is also being viewed from a security point of view. The Mumbai airport spokesperson said that the authorities kept the IndiGo passengers under strict watch until further action could be taken.
Meanwhile, India’s Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia held a meeting with aviation ministry officials in the early hours of Tuesday in light of the recent incidents related to fog-related passenger issues.
Photo: BoeingMan777 | Shutterstock
“Both IndiGo and Mumbai Airport have been served a show-cause notice that stated that they “were not proactive in anticipating the situation and making the appropriate facilitation arrangements for passengers at the airport.”
Patience running thin
The winter months in India are tricky for both airlines and passengers, particularly those traveling to and from North Indian airports, which are some of the worst affected by fog during this time.
Photo: Lalam photography | Shutterstock
Delhi Airport Issues Advisory As Fog Blankets The City
Several flights to and from Delhi have been delayed in the last few days.
Delhi Airport has seen several delays and cancelations in the last few days and has even issued an advisory regarding potential flight disruptions. A few days ago, a passenger was seen physically assaulting the pilot of an IndiGo flight when his Delhi-Goa flight was delayed by several hours due to fog.
Has your flight been affected by fog this winter season? Please let us know in the comment section below.