Summary
- Passengers refused to depart the tarmac at Mumbai Airport after a Delhi-bound IndiGo flight was diverted there.
- Each IndiGo and Mumbai Airport have been served notices for his or her handling of the situation.
Indian passengers frustrated by seasonal fog-related delays and diversions are manifesting their anger in alternative ways. In a recent incident, the occupants of an IndiGo aircraft refused to depart the tarmac at Mumbai Airport after their Goa-Delhi flight was diverted to the town. Each IndiGo and Mumbai Airport have been served notices for the way in which they handled the situation.
Passengers refuse to depart the tarmac
With heavy fog engulfing much of North India, airlines and passengers are facing frequent flight diversions and delays. In the previous couple of 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 needed to be diverted because of dense fog in Delhi. One user wrote on X (formerly generally 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 depart the tarmac on the airport. Some were even seen sitting on the bottom next to the aircraft and eating meals provided by IndiGo. The Hindu quotes a Mumbai Airport official as saying,
Government serves notice
Passengers are expected to move straight to the terminal after disembarking and never stay on the tarmac. As such, the recent incident can be being viewed from a security perspective. The Mumbai airport spokesperson said that the authorities kept the IndiGo passengers under strict watch until further motion may very well be taken.
Meanwhile, India’s Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia held a gathering with aviation ministry officials within the early hours of Tuesday in light of the recent incidents related to fog-related passenger issues.
Photo: BoeingMan777 | Shutterstock
“Each IndiGo and Mumbai Airport have been served a show-cause notice that stated that they
Patience running thin
The winter months in India are tricky for each airlines and passengers, particularly those traveling to and from North Indian airports, that are among 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 previous couple of days.
Delhi Airport has seen several delays and cancelations in the previous couple of days and has even issued an advisory regarding potential flight disruptions. Just 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 because of fog.
Has your flight been affected by fog this winter season? Please tell us within the comment section below.