IndiGo passenger complains of mosquitoes in Lucknow-Bengaluru flight, offloaded; he used the word hijack, says airline
The IndiGo airlines passenger, Dr Saurabh Rai, who was on board on a flight on 6E-541 from Lucknow to Bengaluru was offloaded by the airlines by airlines claiming his unruly behaviour. However, according to the passenger after he complained of the mosquitoes on board he was offboarded and also accuses the staff of having misbehaved with him.
Saurabh Rai said, "The IndiGo flight from Lucknow to Bengaluru was full of mosquitoes. When I raised an objection, I was manhandled by the crew and offloaded from the aircraft. I was even threatened".
Rai also alleged that he was held by the collar and dragged through the aisle by the cabin crew of the airlines. "I heard the crew saying 'if you have a problem with mosquitoes then why don't you leave India," Rai was quoted by ANI.
Hi, Sumit! Apologies for the experience. As per NGT regulation, fumigation can be done only when passengers are not on-board. We comply with that and would like to clarify that while we have defined procedures to avoid such instances, 1/3
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) April 10, 2018
we are sure that you will understand that entry of insects or flies cannot be completely guarded against. However, your feedback is valuable to us and we're sharing the same with the concerned team to avoid such instances in future. 2/3
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) April 10, 2018
Releasing a statement in this regard, IndiGo said, “A passenger, Saurabh Rai, scheduled to fly this morning from Lucknow to Bengaluru, was offloaded on grounds of unruly behaviour.”
According to the IndiGo, the passenger had “expressed concerns over mosquitos on board”. According to report, the airline claimed that before cabin crew could address his concerns, he became aggressive and used threatening language.
We look forward to serving you better on your next travel. 3/3
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) April 10, 2018
“As matter escalated after the closure of the aircraft doors, he attempted to instigate other passengers on board to damage the aircraft and used words such as ‘hijack’. Hence, keeping in mind applicable safety protocols crew apprised pilot-in-command, who decided to offload him,” said IndiGo in a statement.
"Such actions are absolutely unacceptable, and there is zero tolerance for such threatening language on board an aircraft. Hence, keeping in mind applicable safety protocols, the crew apprised the pilot-in-command, who decided to offload Mr Rai from the flight," Indigo said in the statement.
As the reports of the incident started doing rounds, other passengers tweeted about mosquitoes on their flight.
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First published: 10 April 2018, 15:27 IST