Chaos at Chennai Airport: 200 IndiGo Passengers Stranded on Tarmac for 5 Hours

CHENNAI – A routine international journey turned into a grueling five-hour ordeal for nearly 200 passengers aboard an IndiGo flight bound for Singapore on Tuesday. The incident, which took place at Chennai International Airport, gained widespread attention after distressing videos of the cabin conditions went viral on social media.

Technical Snag and “Suffocating” Conditions

Flight 6E 1025 was scheduled to depart for Singapore at 7:30 AM. According to passenger reports, boarding commenced at 6:30 AM, but the aircraft remained stationary on the tarmac for hours.

The viral footage captured a chaotic scene inside the cabin, showing frustrated travelers—including elderly citizens and infants—confronting the airline staff. Passengers alleged that the air conditioning system was fluctuating, leading to poor ventilation and a “suffocating” environment. Several flyers claimed they were denied permission to deboard despite the mounting discomfort and lack of clear communication from the crew.

The “Perfect Storm” of Delays

The airline later clarified that the delay was caused by a combination of technical issues and strict regulatory requirements:

1. Cabin Temperature Alert: The pilot initially noticed that the cabin temperature was above normal levels. Engineering teams were called in to address the cooling issue.
2. FDTL Expiry: By the time the technical snag was resolved, the cockpit crew had exceeded their Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). These safety regulations prevent pilots from flying beyond a specific number of hours to mitigate fatigue.
3. Crew Replacement & Visa Issues: IndiGo had to arrange a replacement crew. However, since it was an international flight, additional time was consumed completing visa formalities and documentation for the new pilots.
4. Immigration Logistics: Deboarding the passengers was reportedly not a viable option because they had already cleared immigration and received exit stamps. Re-entering the terminal would have required the Bureau of Immigration to cancel those stamps and re-process every passenger, a move the airline avoided to prevent further delays.

Official Response

In an official statement, IndiGo expressed regret for the inconvenience caused. The airline maintained that passengers were provided with refreshments and were updated periodically.

“We had to arrange an alternate crew, which took time. The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority, and we regret the delay caused by these unforeseen technical and operational factors.” — IndiGo Spokesperson

The flight eventually took off at approximately 12:00 PM, nearly five hours after its scheduled departure.

Growing Concerns Over Passenger Rights

The incident has reignited a debate regarding passenger treatment during tarmac delays and the lack of “sterile” holding lounges at Indian airports for international travelers. Aviation experts note that while safety regulations like FDTL are crucial, the lack of a contingency plan for deboarding passengers during extended ground delays remains a significant pain point for the industry.