‘Seats Malfunctioning, Bags Damaged, No Marathi’: Pune BJP Leader Complains to Aviation MoS

Pune, 22nd July 2025: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sandeep Khardekar has raised serious concerns over IndiGo Airlines’ service and passenger experience, urging Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Muralidhar Mohol to call an immediate meeting with airline officials to address public grievances.

In a written letter addressed to Minister Mohol, Khardekar highlighted multiple incidents he personally experienced during recent international and domestic travel on IndiGo flights. He stated that the issues reflect broader lapses in maintenance, customer service, and baggage handling, which are now being increasingly reported in the media.

“We are frequently reading about IndiGo flights facing technical failures, leading to emergency landings or delays. I request you to organize a meeting with IndiGo executives to address these concerns urgently,” Khardekar appealed in the letter.

Key Complaints Raised by Khardekar:
Seat Malfunction During Nairobi Flights: Khardekar shared that on July 13, during his Mumbai–Nairobi flight, his seat would not recline. Despite repeated efforts by flight attendants, the issue could not be resolved even during the return journey on July 21. “This clearly points to poor aircraft maintenance,” he said.

Soaked Luggage on Arrival in Mumbai: “When I arrived in Mumbai, most of the baggage on the belt was wet due to rain,” Khardekar noted, adding that airlines must take precautions to prevent passenger luggage from getting damaged in transit.

Negligent Baggage Handling: He further alleged that airline porters mishandle passenger luggage, leading to wear and tear. “There should be proper training and accountability to avoid damage to expensive bags,” he said.

Loss of Valuables and Inadequate Compensation: Referring to an incident involving his relatives on September 21, 2024, Khardekar stated that a necklace went missing from a damaged bag. “IndiGo agreed to pay only ₹2,000 for the bag and refused to take responsibility for the necklace,” he said, calling it “traumatic.”

Unfair Seat Allotment and Poor Customer Response: Khardekar criticized the airline’s practice of charging extra for window or front seats and complained that despite booking together, he and his wife were assigned separate seats on the Mumbai–Nairobi flight. “When I requested a change, the IndiGo representative said she couldn’t help and advised me to complain,” he said.

Lack of Marathi Language on Flights from Maharashtra: “On flights to and from Maharashtra, at least one crew member should be able to speak Marathi. Also, announcements should be made in Marathi,” he urged.