Relief Aircraft Sent By Indigo To Bring Back Stranded Passengers From Istanbul

Thousands of passengers continue to face disruptions due to technical issues affecting IndiGo flights on the Istanbul-India route.

With hundreds of travellers still stranded in Istanbul, IndiGo is dispatching a relief aircraft, expected to bring them back within approximately 20 hours.

Photo Credit: PTI

Over the past two days, two IndiGo flights-Istanbul-Delhi and Istanbul-Mumbai-were cancelled without adequate arrangements for alternative flights or accommodation, leaving passengers in a difficult situation.

Several other flights on the same route experienced delays, potentially causing many travellers to miss onward connections with Turkish Airlines, with which IndiGo has a codeshare agreement.

IndiGo operates Boeing 777 aircraft on these sectors, each capable of seating over 500 passengers. In a statement, the airline clarified that passengers from the Istanbul-Delhi 6E12 flight were accommodated on alternative flights to their destinations.

It also stated that stranded passengers were provided with hotel accommodations, either at the airport or outside, depending on whether they held valid e-visas to enter Turkey.

The Indian Embassy in Istanbul confirmed its involvement, saying it was in contact with both the airline and the affected passengers. It added, "Passengers were provided with lounge facilities, accommodation, and meals."

Earlier this month, the AirHelp Score Report 2024 ranked IndiGo among the world's worst airlines, placing it 103rd out of 109 evaluated carriers. In comparison, Air India was ranked 61st and AirAsia 94th.

In a separate incident, an IndiGo flight bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, had to make an emergency landing at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport in Pakistan due to a medical emergency onboard.

The flight, which departed from New Delhi, was in Pakistani airspace when a male passenger fell seriously ill, according to sources from Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).