IndiGo Flight Crisis Escalates: Thousands of Passengers Separated from Luggage as Aviation Ministry Issues 48-Hour Deadline

The flight crisis seems to be easing after almost a week, with IndiGo successfully resuming routes between 137 out of 138 destinations. However, luggage handling remains a significant challenge for ground staff. Videos have emerged showing massive pileups of baggage at Delhi airport, as passengers report not receiving their belongings even 24 hours after arriving at their destinations.

One video revealed hundreds of bags stored inside the airport premises, arranged in organized queues, with passengers uncertain when they would be reunited with their possessions.

In an emotional interview with a news channel, one passenger broke down while describing her struggle to retrieve her luggage. "I don't want a refund, just return my luggage. It has been over 24 hours," said the Srinagar-bound passenger. "There are important papers in my luggage, it's worth lakhs," she added desperately.

Footage shared by news agency ANI showed airline staff helping frustrated travelers locate their luggage among countless bags. Photos circulating online displayed hundreds of unclaimed bags lying near the luggage belt in the arrival area.

The problem extends beyond Delhi. In Mumbai, IndiGo passengers have also reported lost baggage issues. While many passengers managed to reach their destinations, their luggage containing essential items like clothes, documents, and medications did not arrive, exacerbating an already frustrating travel experience.

One affected passenger, Sachin, had checked in his and his wife's luggage in Mumbai before their flight to Bengaluru. After their flight was delayed and rescheduled for Tuesday, staff assured him the luggage would be delivered to his local address by Wednesday. When this didn't happen, he called the airline. "They asked me to wait another 48 hours," he explained. On his rescheduled flight day, the airline informed him they couldn't locate his baggage. "We have been buying clothes for four days. My baby's medicines are in that bag."

The aviation ministry has confirmed that IndiGo has successfully delivered 3,000 pieces of baggage to passengers across India as of yesterday, following a 48-hour deadline issued by the ministry for the airline to trace and deliver all missing luggage.

"Ministry has directed IndiGo to ensure that all baggage that was separated from passengers due to cancellations or delays is traced and delivered to the passenger's residential or chosen address within the next 48 hours," stated minister Ram Mohan Naidu yesterday.