Major flight disruptions by IndiGo, India's largest airline, have thrown air travel into chaos across the country, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and furious. Social media platforms are inundated with videos showing distressed travellers confronting ground staff at various airports, demanding answers for delayed or cancelled flights.
Celebrities Step In, Appeal for Restraint
Amid the growing unrest and reports of frontline staff facing public anger, prominent actors have stepped forward to appeal for patience and understanding.
Vir Das's Suggestion for Senior Management
On Saturday, comedian and actor Vir Das took to social media platform X to address the situation. He suggested that the senior leadership of the airline should be held accountable. Vir Das proposed that the entire senior management, from CEOs to VPs, should take shifts at the airport to face the public, instead of the junior employees who have no power in decision-making but bear the brunt of passenger frustration.
He emphasized that it was unfair for cabin crew and ground staff, who are merely communicating messages from higher-ups, to deal with the yelling and screaming from upset travellers.
Sonu Sood Shares Personal Ordeal, Calls for Support
Actor Sonu Sood also shared a heartfelt video message, requesting passengers to remain calm. He revealed that his own family was among those affected, having to endure a wait of over four to five hours at the airport, leading to missed meetings and important events.
Sonu Sood reminded the public that while flight delays are immensely frustrating, the ground staff are equally helpless in such large-scale operational failures. He urged people to be nice and humble to the IndiGo employees, stating they are also carrying the weight of the cancellations. He appealed to travellers to support the staff during this tough time rather than react angrily towards them.
DGCA Steps In, Forms Probe Committee
The widespread disruptions have prompted regulatory action. On Friday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced the formation of a high-level, four-member committee. This committee has been tasked with thoroughly reviewing and assessing the events that led to the recent operational meltdown at IndiGo Airlines.
The actors' appeals highlight a critical side-effect of such travel chaos—the pressure on frontline airport workers. As investigations begin, passengers across India hope for swift resolutions and more reliable service from the airline.
