‘Hats Off’: Bengaluru Airport Staff Provide Refreshments To Passengers Amid Indigo Chaos | Watch

Scores of passengers have been stranded at airports across the country after IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, cancelled hundreds of domestic flights while services were delayed at various airports due to operational disruptions for the fifth consecutive day.

The disruption is caused due to severe crew shortage triggered by new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, along with winter fog, technical glitches, and high passenger volumes

Even as the authorities are trying to resolve the crisis with temporary relief amid thousands of flight cancellations and widespread delays, travellers are grappling with severe stress, non-cooperative staff and lack of clarity.

Amid the turmoil, a heartwarming video has gone viral on social media

platforms where the Bengaluru airport staff is seen offering water, snacks and tea or coffee to passengers who were facing inconvenience due to the ongoing crisis.

In the video, shared on Instagram by a user named Priyanshu Tyagi, the ground staff can be seen serving snacks and beverages to stranded passengers.

“After 400 plus flight cancelled but IndiGo not providing any service or sorry. This is from Bengaluru airport. Bengaluru airport staff offering water, snacks, tea or coffee for a valuables passenger, who was suffering from inconvenience,” the caption read.

Meanwhile, the text layout said, “Hats off to Bengaluru airport staff.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Priyanshu Tiwari (@2xx.peter)

However, News18 couldn’t independently verify the authenticity of the video.

Netizens React

The clip has sparked conversation online, with users appreciating the humane gesture during the crisis.

“It’s the culture of Karnataka and Bengaluru,” a user commented.

“A humble request to all passengers, please refrain from blaming the ground staff for delays or cancellations. They are genuinely doing their best to assist you and provide the most suitable resolution,” commented another.

A third user wrote, “Swear man, hats of these folks. It is not easy to be on the receiving end of anger.”

Someone emphasised that there was “finally some positivity.”

“Ground staff are highly dedicated employees ever seen,” read a remark.

IndiGo Crisis

The disruption represents a major blow to the nearly two-decade-old airline, renowned for its punctual operations and the tagline “IndiGo Standard Time,” which reflects its practice of closing aircraft gates well ahead of departure.

The turmoil has entered its fifth day, with hundreds of domestic flights cancelled across major airports, marking the worst phase yet of the ongoing crisis.

Major airports reported sharp spikes in cancellations throughout the day.

Mumbai recorded the highest impact with 109 flights cancelled, while Delhi followed with 86 scrapped departures, choking operations at India’s two busiest hubs.

Operating 2,300 flights daily with a fleet of over 400 aircraft, IndiGo has seen its punctuality plummet with the operational disruptions that are expected to continue for many more days.