Chaos Erupts at Mumbai Airport Due to Delayed Flight to Thailand

A chaotic scene unfolded at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport when an IndiGo flight to Krabi, Thailand, was delayed by nine hours. Frustrated passengers expressed their anger, leading to the removal of two individuals for misbehavior. The delay was attributed to various factors, including traffic congestion and crew duty time limits. IndiGo has since issued a statement addressing the incident and apologizing for the inconvenience caused. This operational crisis highlights the challenges faced by the airline, affecting thousands of travelers.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 15, 2026, 13:12 IST

Tension at Mumbai Airport Over Delayed Flight

On Wednesday, a significant disturbance occurred at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai when an IndiGo flight bound for Krabi, Thailand, faced a nine-hour delay. This situation escalated as two passengers were removed from the aircraft for allegedly misbehaving with the crew. As the delay extended, the patience of the passengers wore thin. According to IndiGo, two individuals lost their temper and began to act aggressively towards the cabin crew.

Removal of Unruly Passengers

The flight from Mumbai to Krabi was delayed due to the late arrival of the incoming aircraft, traffic congestion, and the crew exceeding their duty time limits. Following this, two unruly passengers were escorted off the plane and handed over to security agencies. Videos shared on social media depicted passengers yelling at the cabin crew, with one male passenger reportedly kicking the cockpit door. Frustrated passengers accused the airline of failing to provide timely updates regarding the flight schedule, chanting slogans against the airline, and demanding that the pilot address them directly.

Official Explanation for the Delay

An official from Mumbai Airport explained that the delay stemmed from the late arrival of the incoming flight, which was coming from West Asia. The official noted, "The incoming aircraft was delayed, and by the time it arrived, the operating cockpit crew had already reached their Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL), causing further delays." The flight eventually departed at 1 PM, although it was originally scheduled for 4:05 AM.

IndiGo's Statement on the Incident

IndiGo attributed the delay to multiple factors, including the late arrival of the incoming flight, air traffic congestion, and the crew exceeding their FDTL. In a statement, the airline mentioned, "Two customers on board displayed inappropriate behavior during the wait time and were declared unruly. As per protocol, they were removed from the aircraft and handed over to security agencies, which contributed to further delays."

Airline's Commitment to Passenger Safety

The airline further stated that refreshments were provided multiple times to help alleviate the wait time, and their airport team was present to assist customers. "We are committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for everyone and apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers," the statement concluded.

Operational Challenges for IndiGo

IndiGo, India's largest airline, is currently facing an operational crisis that has left thousands of passengers stranded. This situation arose due to insufficient crew availability following the implementation of a new FDTL on November 1, attributed to the airline's low-cost strategies.