A viral social media video has exposed severe passenger discomfort at Bhubaneswar's Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), showing travelers squatting on the floor and using staircases as makeshift seats due to an acute shortage of seating arrangements. The footage has triggered widespread criticism, forcing airport authorities to issue a public apology.
Viral Video Highlights Passenger Plight
The controversy erupted after a flier, NG Reddy, posted a video on the social media platform X. The clip depicted a scene of chaos inside the terminal, with passengers utilizing every available space—including the children's play area—to rest. In his post, Reddy directly appealed to the Airports Authority of India, stating, "There is a serious shortage of seating, forcing passengers to sit on the floor and staircases, while many others are left standing throughout the terminal."
He further elaborated that the limited chairs placed in certain areas were grossly inadequate. Reddy pointed out that the ground floor conditions were reportedly worse and criticized the situation, noting that despite airlines and the airport charging high prices, basic amenities were lacking. "Immediate improvement is needed," he asserted.
Airport Blames Fog, Calls It a 'Temporary Phenomenon'
Responding to the backlash, BPIA director Prasanna Pradhan attributed the crisis to flight delays caused by dense fog, which exacerbated the seating shortage. "We regret the inconvenience and thank passengers for their patience," Pradhan said. He assured that the situation was now under control due to additional seating, enhanced passenger assistance, and coordinated efforts by airport and airline teams.
Pradhan defended the facility, calling the overcrowding a "temporary phenomenon." "This type of situation emerges when flights get delayed for different reasons, including dense fog," he added, suggesting that such incidents are sporadic and linked to operational disruptions.
Frequent Flyers Cite Systemic Issues
However, regular travelers at the airport contradicted the director's temporary problem narrative. Niraj Kumar, a frequent flyer and a professor at a private university, confirmed that many passengers could not find chairs while waiting to board. "If the flights were on schedule, such chaos would not have happened," Kumar conceded.
But he highlighted a deeper, systemic issue: "The number of flights have increased and flights are running to capacity. If the flights get delayed, passengers are forced to wait and the problem of getting a seat escalates." His comments point to an infrastructure that is struggling to keep pace with growing passenger traffic, a problem not unique to foggy days.
This is not the first time passengers have voiced displeasure over inadequate seating at BPIA; similar complaints were reported just last month, indicating a recurring problem that demands a permanent solution beyond managing weather-related delays.
