Patna/Darbhanga: An IndiGo flight carrying more than 100 passengers from Hyderabad to Darbhanga was forced to divert to Kolkata on Thursday after deteriorating weather conditions, triggering chaotic scenes in the cabin as stranded passengers confronted airline staff.
Flight 6E 537 was scheduled to land in Darbhanga at 2:05 p.m., but diverted mid-route as visibility over the Bihar city dropped. Video footage circulating on social media showed passengers arguing with crew members and demanding to be flown onward to their original destination.
Several passengers said they had been left without alternative arrangements or guidance. “They are asking us to get off in Kolkata with no plan, no support. Our journey is ruined,” one passenger was heard saying in footage from inside the aircraft.
IndiGo staff were seen attempting to calm the situation as some passengers refused to disembark and insisted the pilot resume the journey. The airline later said the diversion was “compulsory due to unsafe meteorological conditions” and that safety protocols did not allow landing at Darbhanga.
Passenger rights
The incident reignited debate over passenger rights during flight disruptions. Under India’s civil aviation rules, travellers are entitled to refreshments if a flight is delayed over four hours and either a rebooking or a full refund if delays exceed six hours. Compensation schemes also apply when cancellations occur within 24 hours of departure, except in cases outside airline control, such as severe weather or security alerts.
Uncertain next steps
The airline has said arrangements “will be communicated to passengers soon,” but did not immediately clarify whether a replacement flight would be operated. As of press time, many passengers remained in Kolkata awaiting onward travel.
