Last Updated:
Indigo Crisis Airports Photos: The helplessness and despair of passengers is clearly visible due to large-scale cancellation of Indigo flights at the airports of Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. People are seen sitting in long queues, waiting with tired faces and empty bags. The government has given instructions for refund and baggage delivery, but the problems of air passengers still continue. (All photos PTI)
Standing at the airport, the first thing you will see on your face is tiredness and a dull smile. Long queues, frequently changing flight status on the screen, and tired people sitting on chairs with their bags. Some are constantly checking updates on their mobiles, some are holding children, and many are just staring ahead in silence. That morning at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Terminal was no different. People were asking, when and how will we get the next flight?
A couple stood in the lobby of Mumbai’s Terminal 2, wearing their caps tightly; His face expressed what words could not – confusion and fatigue. After the news of cancellation of 112 flights in Mumbai, holidays of many families were spoiled and business professionals missed important meetings. People would sit under the airport screen taking turns in taking numbers, the employees would repeatedly apologize through the microphone and voices of disappointment would echo among the passengers.
The condition of Hyderabad was worse. The news of cancellation of 115 flights at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport shook the passengers. Many people who had started their journeys early in the morning, remained there till evening. In the waiting area, some people were lying like a ball with their heads resting on the bag, while some were looking out of the window towards the runway like a field, as if some hope would return from there. Even at the airlines counter, people were making repeated inquiries, but the answer was often the same, ‘We have received information about the wait.’
Add StuffUnknownas
Preferred Source on Google
Farmer-like helplessness was visible in the logistics of Kolkata Airport: A total of 76 IndiGo flights were canceled at NSC Bose Airport today. These included 53 departures and 23 arrivals. Passengers said that the tickets seemed like broken hopes. Some passengers there who were there for work would say, ‘We are missing our job interviews, we are doing client meetings.’ The security and staff at the airport were continuously giving information from time to time, but worry was clearly visible on the faces.
There were many complaints in Ahmedabad also. There were continuous complaints from passengers due to cancellation of 21 Indigo flights. Many passengers lost hope of returning to their homes. The crowd increased at railway stations and taxi stands as people were looking for alternative routes. A large number of passengers said there seemed to be little coordination between government instructions and refund updates from airlines, adding to the confusion.
Amidst this entire crisis, some positive signs were also found. The government gave strict instructions to airlines and IndiGo has so far processed refunds worth about ₹610 crore and reported 3,000 baggage deliveries. Instructions to complete the refund by 8 pm today. Airfare cap imposed on affected routes, order for all baggage delivery within 48 hours. Activation of special customer support cells: These steps are an attempt to reduce the immediate financial and physical problems of passengers, but the memory of stoppages at airports still remains.
The scenes that struck the most at the airports were families sitting with their small children, business people whose meetings were postponed, and senior citizens who were seen exhausted and sleeping on nearby benches. Some passengers said they considered taking railway and bus tickets for alternative arrangements. So some counted huge financial loss. Losses due to hotel booking cancellation, suitcase storage expenses and loss of work. The same question was on everyone’s face, what next?
An aviation expert present there said, this crisis started on December 2 and the delayed response in the system worsened the situation. The government has now taken strict steps, but in-depth investigation and permanent measures are needed. There was still tiredness in the eyes of the passengers but there were also rays of slight relief. Operations are gradually returning to normal and the administration is monitoring the situation from the control room. You can stand there and feel disappointed, but there is also hope that maybe the name of your flight will flash on the next screen.
