An IndiGo flight from Pune to Bengaluru experienced a significant five-hour delay after the pilot declined to operate the aircraft, stating that his duty hours had expired. Originally scheduled to take off at 12:45 AM, the flight eventually departed at 5:44 AM and landed in Bengaluru at 6:49 AM.
The incident gained traction on social media when passengers shared videos depicting their frustration. One passenger noted, “Blame the company, not the crew. IndiGo has become a joke,” reflecting the collective annoyance among those affected. In the footage, a crew member is seen asking another to contact the pilot, who later responded by closing the cockpit door when approached by frustrated passengers seeking an explanation.
IndiGo flight 6E from Pune to Bengaluru delayed for 5 hours after the pilot refused to take off due to his work hours ending.Passengers were left stranded with no refreshments, no compensation.Absolute disregard for customer service. How can this be allowed? @IndiGo6E @DGCAIndia pic.twitter.com/WCDFtrqNwR
— Ayush Kumar (@ayushux) October 1, 2024
Passengers reported feeling abandoned during the delay, as they were left without refreshments or any form of compensation. Many expressed dissatisfaction with the airline’s customer service and demanded accountability.
In response to the uproar, IndiGo released a statement explaining that the delay was due to “operational reasons related to flight duty time limitations.” The airline assured that customers were kept informed and that its team was available to assist during the wait. IndiGo also issued an apology for the inconvenience.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges within the airline industry regarding staffing and operational protocols, raising questions about customer service standards and passenger treatment during delays.
