In the aftermath of the controversy surrounding a video showing passengers of an IndiGo flight eating on the tarmac at Mumbai airport, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has labeled the security breach as “completely unacceptable.” The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has imposed a hefty ₹1.2 crore fine on IndiGo, while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has fined Mumbai airport authorities ₹30 lakh.
The incident occurred on January 14 when an IndiGo Goa-Delhi flight was diverted to Mumbai due to low visibility conditions in the national capital, leading to significant delays. Passengers, reportedly unable to use washrooms or access airport facilities due to the aircraft being allotted a remote bay without an aerobridge, resorted to sitting on the tarmac.
Speaking at a press conference, Minister Scindia expressed his disbelief at the aircraft not being allotted a parking stand and emphasized that a “chain of events” had led to the Mumbai airport incident. He assured swift action, stating, “Within hours of getting information about the incident, show-cause notices were immediately issued. The fact that passengers were inconvenienced, had to eat on the tarmac, and security had been compromised across all points was completely unacceptable.”
The minister clarified that the challenges faced by the aviation sector, such as dense fog affecting visibility, were beyond human control. He highlighted the importance of continuous evolution in the sector to meet the growing demand for high-quality services.
IndiGo issued an apology to its customers, pledging to take necessary steps to prevent such instances in the future. However, this incident adds to a series of airline-related controversies in recent weeks, including a 17-hour delay for Air India passengers, a SpiceJet flier locked in a toilet for the entire flight, and reports of extended delays and poor communication by various airlines.
The rising frustrations among passengers have led to unfortunate incidents, including an attack on an IndiGo pilot during an announcement of a delay. As the aviation industry faces scrutiny, the need for improved services, communication, and passenger welfare has become a focal point of discussion.
Sources By Agencies
