Air India Express Flight Diversions Spark 18-Hour Chaos at Bengaluru Airport
Chaos erupted at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) after Nepal-bound passengers were stranded for over 18 hours following repeated diversions of an Air India Express flight due to adverse weather conditions in Kathmandu. The situation escalated as frustrated travelers staged a protest near the immigration point at Terminal 2, raising slogans against the airline and refusing to vacate the area.
Flight Details and Initial Diversion
The flight, carrying approximately 180 passengers including 37 individuals from Karnataka on a 10-day Nepal tour, departed Bengaluru at 10:30 AM on Thursday. It was originally scheduled to land in Kathmandu at 1:25 PM. However, due to poor visibility at the destination, the aircraft was diverted to Varanasi.
Passengers immediately reported inadequate arrangements during the halt. Sudhalkar S, a tour agent traveling with the group, told reporters, "We were made to wait until 4:25 PM and given only a biscuit packet. The lack of proper facilities and information was extremely distressing."
Second Diversion and Passenger Protests
The situation worsened when the flight was diverted a second time, this time to Lucknow, further extending the ordeal. Exhausted and frustrated, passengers eventually returned to Bengaluru, where they staged the protest at KIA. The demonstration highlighted growing anger over what many described as poor handling of the situation by airline authorities.
Airline Response and Compensation Measures
An Air India Express spokesperson confirmed that adverse weather in Kathmandu had severely affected the flight schedule. The spokesperson expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers and outlined the measures taken:
- Affected guests were provided with hotel accommodation during the extended delays.
- Passengers were offered the option of complimentary rescheduling or a full-refund cancellation.
- An additional recovery flight has been planned for Saturday to accommodate stranded travelers.
The spokesperson emphasized that the airline is working to minimize disruption and ensure passenger safety remains the top priority during such unforeseen weather-related incidents.
Broader Implications for Air Travel
This incident underscores the challenges airlines face during adverse weather conditions, particularly on routes to destinations like Kathmandu known for unpredictable weather patterns. It also highlights the importance of robust contingency plans and effective communication with passengers during extended delays.
Passenger rights advocates note that while weather disruptions are unavoidable, airlines must ensure adequate provisions and transparent updates to maintain traveler confidence. The protest at KIA serves as a reminder of the growing expectations among air travelers for better service during operational challenges.
