Significant unrest broke out at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Saturday after an Air India Express flight to Kathmandu, Nepal, failed to reach its destination for the second consecutive day, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and frustrated. The chaos began when travelers, many of whom had already endured a previous cancellation on Friday, were informed that the aircraft could not land in Kathmandu due to persistent poor visibility and technical constraints at the destination airport. Enraged by the lack of clear communication and the recurring nature of the disruption, passengers staged a loud protest at the boarding gates, demanding immediate refunds or alternative arrangements on other carriers. Many affected travelers, including tourists and families with elderly members, complained that they were kept waiting for hours without adequate food, water, or hotel accommodations. The situation escalated as security personnel were called in to manage the swelling crowds, while airline staff struggled to provide a definitive timeline for the next departure. Air India Express officials attributed the failure to severe weather conditions in the Himalayan region, which have recently made landings at the high-altitude Kathmandu airport extremely hazardous for certain aircraft types. While the airline offered to reschedule the passengers on the next available flight or provide full refunds, the protesters argued that the repeated failures had caused them significant financial loss and mental agony. This incident has once again highlighted the logistical challenges faced by budget carriers during peak winter weather transitions and has raised questions regarding the adequacy of contingency planning for international routes. As of Saturday evening, the airline was reportedly working with airport authorities to pacify the crowd and organize coach services for those opting for hotel stays, but the atmosphere remained tense as many passengers refused to leave the terminal until a guaranteed flight was confirmed.
Bengaluru Airport Chaos as Air India Express Flight Fails to Land in Nepal Again
