Six passengers who were onboard a Chennai-bound flight from Bengaluru on Sunday reportedly promising them tickets on an alternative flight. However, the passengers had to spend the night in Bengaluru and they flew back to Chennai only on Monday.
According to a TOI report, passengers told the publication that they were allegedly deboarded as the airline was not interested in flying with just six persons onboard. According to reports, passengers onboard a Chennai-bound flight from Amritsar, while the flight was on the tarmac at Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport, they received calls from a ground staff of the airline asking them to deboard from the flight, and assuring them seats in an alternative flight.
However, to their dismay, the passengers were forced to stay in Bengaluru that night and they boarded a flight to Chennai on Monday morning. IndiGo sources at the airport told the publication that two passengers were lodged in a hotel 13km from the airport for the night, while others stayed at the airport lounge. “All were accommodated on flights on Monday morning and flown to Chennai,” an airline official told TOI.
However, IndiGo denied the charges. In a statement, the airline said, “On November 19, 2023, flight 6E 478 was operating from Amritsar to Chennai via Bengaluru with eight transit passengers on board. Due to the delay of the incoming aircraft from Amritsar, these passengers were unable to board the onward flight to Chennai at the Bengaluru Airport.”
“IndiGo ground staff made every possible effort to help passengers make the connection, but due to lack of time, they were unable to board the aircraft. IndiGo staff offered the passengers overnight accommodation and booking on the next available flight but certain passengers chose to stay at the airport lounge. We deeply apologise for the inconvenience caused to the passengers,” the airline said in a statement.