Bengaluru airport chaos: Air India Express flight with 180 passengers stuck for 18 hours; flyers protest

BENGALURU: Chaos erupted at KIA after Nepal-bound passengers were stranded for over 18 hours following repeated diversions of an Air India Express flight due to adverse weather in Kathmandu, reports . The passengers staged a protest near the immigration point at T2, raising slogans against the airline and refusing to vacate the area. Sources said around 180 passengers, including 37 people from Karnataka, were on a 10-day Nepal tour.

The flight departed Bengaluru at 10.30am Thursday and was scheduled to land in Kathmandu at 1.25pm. Due to poor visibility, it was diverted to Varanasi.

Passengers alleged inadequate arrangements during the halt. We were made to wait until 4.25pm and given only a biscuit packet, Sudhalkar S, a tour agent travelling with the group, told TOI.

Flight got diverted second time to Lucknow

Confirming adverse weather affecting the schedule, an Air India Express spokesperson regretted the inconvenience caused to flyers and said the affected guests were provided hotel accommodation and the option of complimentary rescheduling or full-refund cancellation. An additional recovery flight is planned for Saturday, he added.

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