IndiGo crisis grips Bhubaneswar airport: Families stranded, urgent medicines stuck in ‘missing luggage’

The nationwide IndiGo airlines delay and disruption have gripped the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, with tourists to Odisha stranded without luggage.

Sources cited the ordeal of a group of four families who arrived from Pune. Having arrived for a four-day Puri visit, they keep returning to the airport without receiving any of their checked-in luggage, forcing them to purchase clothes, footwear and daily-use items amounting to over Rs 2 lakh during their stay.

The passengers travelled to Puri on the 2nd of this month and stayed there until the 6th, but said IndiGo had still not delivered their baggage even as they prepared to fly back.

Families Allege No Baggage On Arrival In Odisha

According to the passengers, all four families travelled through IndiGo via Mumbai–Bhubaneswar and proceeded to Puri for a scheduled tour. They stated that while they reached Odisha, their luggage did not arrive with them at the airport.

When they returned to Bhubaneswar airport ahead of their onward journey, the baggage was still not traceable. They said they had repeatedly contacted the airline counter for updates.

“We have been here for four days, but the airline has not delivered our luggage. They have not even informed us of its status,” said a man from the group.

Essential items bought after luggage failure

With no clothes, shoes or basic travel items, the families purchased new garments, bags and accessories at Puri and Bhubaneswar for four continuous days. They estimated the expenditure at more than Rs 2 lakh.

“One member of our group is a heart patient, and the prescription for the required medicines was inside the missing bag. He has been unable to take his medicines. We are not receiving any clarity from either IndiGo or the airport,” the group complained.

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Passengers Prepare To Return Without Bags

The families said they were scheduled to travel back, but remained at the airport waiting for their baggage. They stated that they had not received a confirmation on when their luggage would be delivered. They also said the airline had not provided an alternative arrangement for the missing medical prescription carried in the baggage.

“We demand that the Odisha government answer whether they will reimburse us or the aviation ministry will ask the airline to bear our expenses,” the group said.

Nationwide Indigo Disruption Into Fifth Day

The incident in Odisha comes as IndiGo continues to experience a nationwide operational disruption.

The airline’s services have faced cancellations and rescheduling for five consecutive days, leaving passengers stranded at major airports including Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. Travellers at several airports have reported limited updates from counters.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has set up a four-member committee to examine the chain of events that caused the disruption and has asked for a report within 15 days.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that efforts are underway to restore normal operations within three days, according to official statements.