Around 300 passengers on two IndiGo flights, Delhi to Pune and Pune to Delhi, experienced significant delays and frustration on Monday. The Delhi-Pune flight, scheduled to depart at 1:35 pm, was delayed by five-and-a-half hours due to a technical issue with one of the engines. Passengers boarded the plane at 12:45 pm, but after a brief taxi, the flight returned to the bay for further checks. Despite demands to deboard, passengers were kept on the plane until 4 pm, with limited information provided by the cabin crew.
The passengers were eventually deboarded and offered options, including full refunds, rebooking on the next flight, and refreshments. After completing security checks again, they boarded a new plane at 6:40 pm, which departed at 7 pm and landed in Pune at 8:50 pm. The delay had a ripple effect on the return flight from Pune to Delhi, which was also delayed by around five hours.
Passengers on both flights criticized the airline for the lack of communication and transparency during the delays. Many expressed frustration at being kept on the plane for an extended period without clear information about the status of the flight. Some passengers opted for refunds or rebooking on the next day’s flights, while others were concerned about the impact of the delay on their travel plans.
One passenger, Prittam Kothadiya, took to social media to express his concern about the delay, particularly as his elderly parents were traveling on the Pune-Delhi flight. His father, a severe Parkinson’s patient, was wheelchair-bound, and Kothadiya was worried about the hardship they would face due to the delay. However, after reaching out to IndiGo’s ground staff, they were helped and taken care of.
The incident highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency from airlines during delays. Passengers expect to be kept informed about the status of their flight, and it is the airline’s responsibility to provide them with timely and accurate information. In this case, the lack of communication from IndiGo led to frustration and concern among passengers, and the airline has been criticized for its handling of the situation.