IndiGo passenger assaults pilot over delay; arrested, faces legal action

In a shocking incident at Delhi Airport on Sunday, an IndiGo passenger physically assaulted the aircraft’s pilot during a delay announcement. A viral video shows a passenger in a yellow hoodie hitting the pilot in anger. The assault occurred after the pilot replaced the previous crew due to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms following extended delays.

The Delhi Police registered a case under sections 323, 341, and 290 of the IPC, along with section 22 of the Aircraft Rules against the passenger. The passenger, identified as Sahil Katriya, was arrested, and an investigation is underway.

IndiGo filed a complaint against the passenger, leading to police action. The airline has initiated an internal committee to address the incident, considering potential inclusion on the ‘no-fly list’ for unruly behavior.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia condemned the incident, emphasizing that unruly behavior is unacceptable and will be dealt with strongly.

In response to the incident, IndiGo issued an official statement, declaring the passenger unruly and handing them over to law enforcement. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers due to operational disruptions caused by low visibility and dense fog conditions across North India.

The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with users condemning the physical assault on the pilot. The video has prompted discussions on the need for strict actions against such behavior, urging a probe into the incident.

The Delhi Airport faced challenges due to fog, impacting IndiGo’s operations, resulting in delays, cancellations, and missed flights. The airline is under scrutiny for the handling of these disruptions, and the incident has led to calls for a comprehensive review of aviation safety protocols.