Our Bureau
Mumbai
Stranded Virgin Atlantic passengers have finally arrived in Mumbai last week after enduring a gruelling 40-hour ordeal in Turkey. The passengers were initially scheduled to fly directly to Mumbai, but their flight was diverted to Istanbul due to a medical emergency followed by suspected technical issue with the aircraft.
The unscheduled landing in Istanbul triggered a series of unfortunate events, leaving passengers stuck in a foreign country with minimal communication and support. According to several passengers, the airline failed to provide adequate accommodation, meals, or clear information about the situation. This sparked frustration and anger as travellers struggled to understand the cause of the delay and the estimated time of departure before taking off again to Mumbai.
Virgin Atlantic has since issued an apology for the inconvenience caused, citing unexpected technical difficulties as the primary reason for the disruption. The airline stated that it is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.
Upon arrival in Mumbai, passengers were greeted by airline representatives who helped with baggage and transportation. While many were relieved to be home, the experience left a lasting negative impression.
The incident has raised questions about airlines’ responsibilities to passengers during unforeseen diversions, delays and the importance of clear and timely communication.
