Passengers at Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport were reportedly left stranded on Friday, August 14, after an IndiGo flight scheduled to depart at 2:35 PM was cancelled at around 5:30 PM, nearly three hours after its scheduled departure. Passengers alleged that they were not given timely information about the cancellation and that several people were still waiting at the airport around 6 PM without clear updates or adequate assistance. One passenger said the airline cancelled the flight “without properly informing the passengers”, leaving travellers frustrated and uncertain about their next steps.
As of the latest available information, no official statement from IndiGo or the Airports Authority of India (AAI) explaining the specific cancellation or confirming arrangements for affected passengers has been located. IndiGo’s own passenger guidance states that the airline is responsible for notifying passengers by registered mobile number or email in the event of a delay or cancellation.
Passengers Allege Delayed Communication
According to passengers at the airport, the main grievance was not only the cancellation but the delay in communicating the decision. A passenger alleged that the flight was scheduled for 2:35 PM and that travellers were informed about the cancellation only around 5:30 PM. “Our flight was scheduled for 2:35 PM. All of a sudden, it was cancelled at 5:30 PM without properly informing the passengers. We are stranded at Bhubaneswar Airport and have received no satisfactory response,” the passenger said.
The delay reportedly left passengers waiting for hours while they sought clarity from airline staff. Some passengers also alleged that they did not receive adequate assistance regarding alternative travel arrangements or the next course of action. Such situations can be particularly difficult for travellers with connecting journeys, medical needs, work commitments or other time-sensitive plans.
IndiGo’s official flight-status guidance says passengers can track live updates through its website or app and that the airline takes responsibility for notifying passengers about delays or cancellations through their registered contact details.
What Happens After A Flight Is Cancelled?
Flight cancellations can occur because of operational, technical, weather-related or other safety considerations. However, passengers rely on airlines for timely information once a disruption affects their journey. The AAI’s Bhubaneswar Airport information page also advises passengers to verify actual flight schedules with the respective airlines, noting that published airport schedules are tentative.
The latest incident also comes amid wider concerns about passenger experience during flight disruptions. Bhubaneswar Airport has previously seen passengers face difficulties following multiple cancellations, including cases where travellers struggled to secure refunds, alternative flights and accommodation.
At present, the specific reason for Friday’s IndiGo cancellation has not been independently confirmed. The AAI lists an IndiGo airport manager among the officials associated with Bhubaneswar Airport, but no public statement from the airline or airport authorities addressing this particular incident was available at the time of writing.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Flight disruptions are sometimes unavoidable, particularly when safety or operational considerations are involved. What passengers reasonably expect, however, is timely communication, clear guidance and humane assistance when their plans are disrupted. Spending hours at an airport without knowing whether a flight will operate can turn an already stressful situation into one of anxiety and frustration.
Airlines and airport authorities must therefore ensure that passengers receive accurate information as soon as a cancellation is confirmed, along with practical assistance on refunds, rebooking and alternative travel. At the same time, passengers and ground staff should be able to address such situations without hostility, recognising that both sides can face considerable pressure during disruptions. Do you think airlines should be held to stricter standards for communicating cancellations and assisting stranded passengers?
