A video showing passengers of an IndiGo flight sitting on the tarmac and eating amid flight delays at Mumbai Airport has gone viral. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has taken swift action by issuing show cause notices to both IndiGo and Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) after the video stirred public outrage.
Video of passenges of Goa-Delhi @IndiGo6E flight having food on Mumbai Airport tarmac. Their flight was diverted to Mumbai after much delay.
— Jeet Mashru (@mashrujeet) January 15, 2024
Video courtesy @AnchitSyal
pic.twitter.com/2lZikiK9mf
The incident occurred when a Goa-Delhi flight, operated by IndiGo, faced a prolonged delay and was eventually diverted to Mumbai due to dense fog at the Delhi airport. Upon landing in Mumbai, frustrated passengers rushed out of the aircraft, choosing to sit on the tarmac. Some were even seen having meals on the ground, creating an unusual and uncomfortable scene.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in an official statement released on January 16, highlighted that both IndiGo and MIAL failed to proactively anticipate the situation and make appropriate arrangements for the passengers. The aircraft was assigned a remote bay (C-33) instead of a Contact Stand, which is equipped with facilities like restrooms and refreshments, leaving passengers deprived of basic amenities.
According to the ministry, the entire operation was executed without considering passenger convenience, security norms, and operational challenges, resulting in an unfavorable and unacceptable experience for the tired and harassed passengers. The ministry’s statement revealed that Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia convened a meeting with officials to address the situation after the video went viral.
IndiGo, responding to the incident, issued an apology to its customers and assured a thorough investigation. The airline acknowledged the inconvenience caused to passengers and expressed its commitment to preventing similar incidents in the future.
Shares of IndiGo witnessed a dip following the controversy, with the stock trading at Rs 3,066.30 apiece on the BSE, marking a 1.31 percent decline. Despite this, the stock has shown resilience in January, rising by 3 percent, outperforming the benchmark Nifty 50, which saw a 1.4 percent increase during the same period. Over the past year, IndiGo shares have recorded an impressive 46 percent rally, while the Nifty rose by 23 percent.
The video has prompted the Ministry of Civil Aviation to take a closer look at the incident, emphasizing the need for airlines and airports to prioritize passenger welfare in challenging situations. As the controversy unfolds, passengers and the public await further actions and measures to ensure such incidents do not recur.
