16-Hour Delay Leaves IndiGo Passengers Stranded at Mumbai Airport, Airline Apologises

Social Media Outcry Highlights Passenger Frustration

December 29, 2024: Over 100 passengers of IndiGo Flight 6E17 from Mumbai to Istanbul were stranded at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for 16 hours on Saturday due to a technical glitch.

The flight, initially scheduled to depart at 6:55 AM, faced repeated delays and rescheduling before eventually taking off at 11:00 PM after an alternate aircraft was arranged.

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The Delay and Passenger Outcry:

• Multiple Boarding and De-boarding: Passengers were asked to board and deboard the aircraft thrice before being informed about the final departure time.
• Frustration Spills Over Online: Passengers took to social media platforms to voice their anger and frustration, demanding refunds or alternate flight arrangements.
• Protests at the Airport: Many passengers, including students and transit travelers, staged protests at the airport, demanding clarity from airline staff.

IndiGo’s Statement:

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In a statement, IndiGo expressed regret over the inconvenience caused:
“We regret that our flight 6E17, originally scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Istanbul, faced a delay due to technical issues. Despite our best efforts, we eventually had to cancel the flight. An alternate aircraft has been arranged and is now scheduled to depart at 2300 hrs. Safety and comfort remain our top priorities.”

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Social Media Reactions:

• Sonam Saigal: “My brother has been stuck at the airport for over 12 hours. The staff is extremely rude and refuses to answer any questions about rescheduling and refunds.”
• Sachin Chintalwad: “Now it’s a 5-hour delay. I’m going to miss my connecting flight to Washington from Istanbul. Please suggest what to do.”
• Biresh Kumar Singh: “Passengers are being shuffled between the aerobridge and waiting areas. Staff seem clueless about what’s happening.”

Resolution and Departure:

The IndiGo flight eventually departed at 11:00 PM after an alternate aircraft was arranged, ending hours of frustration for the stranded passengers.

While the airline apologized and assured that passenger safety remains paramount, the incident has sparked broader discussions about airline accountability and passenger rights during prolonged delays.

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Tags:

IndiGo Flight Delay, Mumbai Airport Chaos, IndiGo Apology, Technical Glitch, Flight 6E17, Airline Passenger Rights, Istanbul Flight Delay, IndiGo Customer Complaints, Social Media Outcry, Airline Accountability, Flight Delay Protests, Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport, IndiGo Technical Issues, Aviation News, Airline Service Standards