Chaos on Indigo Dubai-Pune Flight: Passengers Confined Inside Aircraft for Over an Hour Amid Airport Mismanagement

Pune, 26th July 2025: Nearly 200 passengers on an IndiGo flight from Dubai to Pune were allegedly held inside the aircraft for over an hour after landing at Pune Airport late last night, triggering panic and distress among those on board. The flight, which landed around 10 p.m., was reportedly denied permission to deplane due to “unavailability of parking space,” according to passengers.

The ordeal left many passengers — including children, elderly individuals, and women — visibly distressed. With no clear communication from airline crew or airport ground staff, the situation inside the cabin worsened as the wait dragged on.
“Children were crying nonstop, elders were visibly shaken, and many women appeared distressed and suffocated,” said a passenger, who requested anonymity. “There was no ventilation, and the air conditioning was working intermittently. It felt like we were trapped.”

Another passenger described the incident as a “traumatizing experience,” especially after a long international journey. “We landed on time, but they wouldn’t let us get off. We kept asking what was happening, and the crew just told us to wait due to a parking issue — but the wait seemed endless.”

Several passengers reported feeling claustrophobic, and some experienced health issues due to the lack of fresh air and limited movement. Parents struggled to soothe their crying children, and elderly travelers expressed concern about being confined without access to medical assistance or basic amenities.

“This wasn’t just poor service — it was a complete breakdown of passenger safety and dignity,” said one frequent flyer onboard. “We were treated like cargo. There was no accountability.”

Passengers also questioned how such a situation could arise when the airport was already informed of the flight’s arrival schedule. “This speaks volumes about the poor coordination between the airline and the airport. Pune is an international airport — this is simply unacceptable,” said another affected traveler.

As outrage grows, passengers are demanding a formal apology from IndiGo and Pune Airport authorities, along with an inquiry into the incident. Many have called for action by aviation regulators, citing “negligence, lack of professionalism, and endangering public safety.”

An official said, “The delay was not due to airport mismanagement or any lapse on IndiGo’s part. The real reason for the delay was the unavailability of an allocated parking bay, which was caused by an ongoing DGCA audit of a SpiceJet aircraft that was occupying the designated bay. The actual delay amounted to 54 minutes, and the situation was beyond the airline’s control.”

However, the incident has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with calls for urgent intervention by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.