Did Jaspal Bhatti's Satirical 'SOS Airline' Skit Predict IndiGo's 2025 Flight Chaos? Decades-Old Clip Is Viral

As IndiGo grapples with one of its worst operational meltdowns, an unexpected blast from the past has taken over social media, a decades-old comedy sketch from Jaspal Bhatti’s iconic show ''Full Tension.''

The resurfaced clip has struck a nerve online, blending nostalgia with a sting of uncomfortable relevance.Titled ''SOS Airline,'' the resurfaced video has gone viral just as IndiGo continues to face massive disruptions. Airports across the country remain in chaos, with hundreds of flights cancelled for yet another day, leaving thousands stranded and ticket prices soaring.

In the clip, Bhatti delivers peak satire as he portrays a hilariously clueless airline employee juggling nearly every possible role — from check-in desk to booking counter to customer complaints. When a frustrated passenger questions why one person is handling everything, he’s stunned to find Bhatti sitting at the complaint desk too. The shock doubles when Bhatti casually reveals he’ll also be flying the aircraft after a quick costume change. The exasperated passenger shouts, "Akhir yeh SOS airline hai kya?" to which Bhatti deadpans, "Shortage of Staff Airlines."

Social media users sharing the clip say what once felt like exaggerated humour now looks eerily familiar. Many posted that this sketch was "way ahead of its time" and joked that Bhatti practically "predicted today's situation whatever is happening to IndiGo."

The parallels feel so relatable as IndiGo’s troubles deepen. The airline has been struggling to roll out new crew-rostering rules that require longer mandatory rest hours for pilots. Despite advance notice, reports suggest IndiGo failed to adequately prepare its staffing and scheduling systems.What followed was a domino effect of pilot shortages and operational breakdowns. By December 5, more than 1,000 flights had already been scrapped. The situation worsened by December 7, with over 220 flights cancelled at just the Delhi and Mumbai airports.For many viewers revisiting the clip, Bhatti’s satire feels uncannily tailored for 2025 rather than the 1990s — a testament to his sharp, timeless take on systemic chaos.