Indigo has recently found itself in the news for allegedly abandoning its passengers at a destination which wasn’t either their departure or arrival city.
In a recent event, an IndiGo flight which was flying from Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport to Ranchi Airport, but was diverted to Kolkata.
Upon landing at Kolkata Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), passengers alleged that the airline left them to fend themselves. They claimed that the airline provided them with food and asked to either take alternative flight or request a money refund money within a week.
IndiGo 6E221 Bengaluru – Ranchi
On January 19, 2024, Indigo’s flight 6E 221 took off at 18:00hrs IST, but due to bad weather at Ranchi Airport the flight was diverted to Kolkata’s Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International airport.
Instead of waiting to take off again when the weather conditions improved, the airline disembarked the passengers and informed them that they were left with only two options – either re-book on themselves on any available flight or claim a refund.
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“@IndiGo6E 6E221 Bngluru to Rnchi 19-01-24 diverted to Kolkata, Cancld, Pasngers falsely promisd hotel alternative flight, deboarded. Ground Staff denied everything, excpt fare return in week, rice packet. Regulation allows dumping at 3rd location? @JM_Scindia @Pib_MoCA@PMOIndia,” Mr. Vikram Srivastava posted on social media platform X.
The passenger also alleged that several elderly passengers requested the airline’s ground staff for assistance with hotel bookings, as this was an unknown destination for them and they were clueless; however, the airline staff refused to provide any assistance.
Diversion to Kolkata
This comes just days after Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had fined many airlines including indigo for failure to handle the flight delays in appropriate manner.
The airline said in a subsequent statement to PTI: “The flight was diverted to Kolkata due to bad weather at Ranchi, and passengers were given the option of choosing another flight or receiving a refund.”
“While some opted for another flight, others chose a refund. Additionally, all passengers were served meals at the Kolkata airport.”
The passenger Mr. Vikram Srivastava further wrote “Pregnant woman, elderly travelers, people pleading they don’t have money, but @IndiGo6E drama artist team, not ready to help, told bluntly to people, make your own arrangements at a 3rd location @IndiGo6E most insensitive, service deficiency liable to compensate all Passengers.”.
The passengers also alleged that they were de-boarded on the false promises of accommodation being provided. This isn’t the first time Indigo has been alleged of deboarding passengers on false promise.
Recently IndiGo’s Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers had informed the press that the airline expects to return to normal operations before the weekend. Most of the operations were majorly affected due to weather related issues which had a knock-on effect on flight services.
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