Hundreds of IndiGo passengers faced a harrowing experience at Istanbul Airport after flights to Delhi and Mumbai were delayed by over 24 hours, leaving them stranded without adequate support from the airline.

Passengers Left Without Basic Amenities

The ordeal began on December 12, when IndiGo flights from Istanbul to Delhi and Mumbai were significantly delayed. The Delhi flight, initially scheduled for 8:10 PM, was rescheduled to 1:30 PM the next day, while the Mumbai flight, set to depart at 8:15 PM, was first pushed to 11:00 PM and later to 10:00 AM the following day.

Stranded passengers took to social media to express frustration, claiming they were left without proper food, accommodation, or clear communication from IndiGo staff. While the airline promised lounge access, passengers reported overcrowding, with the facilities unable to accommodate the nearly 500 stranded travellers.

Social Media Outrage

Travellers shared their grievances on platforms like X, accusing IndiGo of neglecting their responsibilities. Passenger Parshwa Mehta: "This delay isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a blatant failure of basic customer service. Where is the accountability? Where is the empathy for passengers stranded overnight at the airport?"

Another passenger described the situation as "chaotic," noting that Turkish Airlines staff were providing updates instead of IndiGo representatives.

Allegations of Mismanagement

Passengers criticized IndiGo for: Poor Communication: Many claimed they received no updates from IndiGo staff, with information coming instead from Turkish Airlines personnel. Lack of Facilities: Promised lounge access was insufficient due to overcrowding, leaving many passengers standing for hours. No Alternative Arrangements: Flyers were not offered alternative flight options or compensation for their inconvenience.

Operational Delays Cited

IndiGo has attributed the delays to "operational reasons," but this explanation has done little to pacify the stranded passengers, who are demanding accountability and refunds for the ordeal.

Call for Accountability

The incident highlights the challenges faced by airlines in managing delays, especially for international flights. Passengers are now demanding not just reparations but also systemic improvements to ensure such lapses in customer service do not recur.

The lack of basic amenities and proper communication has left many questioning the airline’s commitment to its customers, with calls for IndiGo to address the situation urgently and transparently.