Date: January 15, 2024 : A passenger on an Indigo flight from Delhi to Goa assaulted the pilot due to frustration over an extended delay. The incident unfolded after the pilot allegedly blamed passengers for questioning and arguing, leading to delays caused by adverse weather conditions.
Russian Indian actress Evgenia Belskaia, who was a co-passenger on the flight, criticized the pilot for not being “understanding and supportive” during the situation. According to Belskaia, the pilot resorted to accusing passengers of causing delays through their questions and arguments, escalating the tension on the flight.
Expressing the passengers’ frustration, Belskaia highlighted that they had been waiting for ten hours, with the flight repeatedly announcing delays due to adverse weather conditions. She noted that people were “really angry” after sitting on the flight for two hours and insisted that while hitting the pilot was wrong, he should have shown more understanding.
In a video posted on her Instagram handle, Belskaia narrated the initial incident, stating, “They came to the airport by 6 a.m., and the IndiGo flight kept announcing one-hour and two-hour delays. They waited for ten hours, entered the airplane, and sat for two more hours. People were angry and were asking questions about the delay.”
The accused, identified as Sahil Kataria, was charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Aircraft Rules. He was later declared ‘unruly’ and added to the ‘no-fly’ list, preventing him from boarding any flights.
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia condemned the incident, stating that such “unruly” behavior is unacceptable and will be dealt with strongly in accordance with existing legal provisions. Following his statement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) took action by issuing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to airlines regarding flight cancellations during adverse weather conditions.
The DGCA guidelines mandate airlines to cancel flights if the delay exceeds three hours due to adverse weather conditions. This move aims to streamline procedures and address passenger frustrations while ensuring the safety and security of air travel. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining order and composure during challenging situations, both for passengers and airline staff.
