Chaos and frustration gripped airports across India as a spate of flight cancellations and indefinite delays by budget carrier IndiGo left hundreds of passengers stranded, including several well-known television celebrities. Stars like Rahul Vaidya, Nia Sharma, and Jay Bhanushali took to social media to document their travel nightmares, highlighting the severe disruption to their schedules and the financial and logistical toll it took.
Celebrity Travel Plans Thrown into Disarray
The travel woes were not limited to common passengers. Rahul Vaidya, famous for his stint in Bigg Boss, faced one of his most harrowing travel days while trying to get from Goa to Kolkata for a scheduled show. He documented the ordeal through a series of Instagram posts, expressing his anxiety and frustration. In one post, he shared a selfie with a note that read, "One of the worst days to fly! And we have a show in Kolkata tonight... and still don't know how we are going to reach there!"
The financial impact was staggering. Rahul revealed that he had to spend an exorbitant amount on last-minute bookings due to the airline's scheduling failures. He posted boarding passes worth a shocking Rs 4.20 lakhs, just for the domestic leg of his journey until Mumbai. He lamented that the cost for the separate Mumbai to Kolkata flight would be additional, calling it the most expensive domestic travel he had ever undertaken.
Nia Sharma's Team Arrives in 'Installments'
Actress Nia Sharma also found herself and her team caught in the travel turmoil. She reposted a story by a makeup artist, Makeup By Astha, who was seen rushing to catch a flight. Later, Nia shared an update once her team member finally reached the destination, sarcastically captioning it, "Thank you indigo for sending my team."
In a follow-up video, Nia highlighted the absurdity of the situation, stating that her team members arrived at their destination in "5 installments." She described the scene at the airport as "bhasad" (chaos) but expressed relief that everyone made it eventually, from morning till night. She also extended her sympathies to other passengers still struggling with the disruptions.
Jay Bhanushali's 'Unplanned Extended Trip'
Popular TV host and actor Jay Bhanushali was another victim of the widespread delays. After waiting for hours before his flight to Mumbai, he shared his experience on Instagram Stories. Taking a subtle dig at the airline, he posted, "After so many hours of travel, I deserve to be welcomed with this song 'Desh Mere'. Thank you Indigo for the unplanned extended trip." His post captured the exhaustion and irony felt by many stranded travelers.
Government Steps In Amid Nationwide Disruptions
The situation escalated to a level that required regulatory intervention. The Ministry of Civil Aviation issued an official statement directing airlines, with a specific mention of IndiGo, to implement immediate measures to resolve the severe disruption. The ministry instructed the carriers to stabilize their services without any further delay, acknowledging the scale of the problem affecting passengers nationwide.
The flight cancellations and delays have sparked widespread criticism, putting a spotlight on the operational challenges faced by one of India's largest airlines. The public outcry, amplified by celebrities sharing their personal struggles, has underscored the urgent need for reliable air travel services in the country.
