Man Misses Flight After IndiGo Changes Flight Timings: 'Was Offered Rs 6,000 To Delete Social Media Post'
The issue arose when his flight was rescheduled to depart 15 minutes earlier, with a notification sent just 2.5 hours prior.
A passenger who missed his IndiGo flight due to short-notice schedule changes alleged that the airline attempted to bribe him into deleting a social media post that went viral, criticising the airline's handling of the situation. In a statement, IndiGo informed that the amount was offered a "refund of fees charged towards re-accommodation on next flight" as a "goodwill gesture".
Prakhar Gupta, a well-known podcaster, expressed his disappointment with the Airlines on social media, citing unprofessional conduct and poor handling of a flight schedule change. Gupta alleged that the airline offered him Rs 6,000 to delete a critical post about their services on social media platform X.
The issue arose when his flight was rescheduled to depart 15 minutes earlier, with a notification sent just 2.5 hours prior. Gupta criticised the airline for not sending a formal email notification, instead relying on a brief text message sent at 4 AM to inform him of the change.
“How do you change a flight time and PREPONE it, 2.5 hours before the flight at 4 AM in the morning, expect me to make it on time, and then when I do get there 5 minutes behind on the NEW TIME, you do not let me check in my bag and make me pay for a new flight?” Gupta wrote in his post.
Dear @IndiGo6E
— Prakhar Gupta (@prvkhvr) January 23, 2025
How do you change a flight time and PREPONE it, 2.5 hours before the flight at 4 AM in the morning, expect me to make it on time, and then when I do get there 5 minutes behind on the NEW TIME , you do not let me check in my bag and make me pay for a new flight?…
"I got no email, and one measly text at 4 AM this morning that my flight time has been preponed from 645 to 630, and you close your check in counters according to 630?? There has to be some sanity in flying in this country. Flight providers cannot whimsically play with people’s times and lives without us being compensated, and more so without making us pay more for their errors. This is a violation of any reasonable terms of service, "he further added.
Passenger Lashes Out At Airline’s Accountability
Gupta stated that the situation was further worsened by the unprofessional behavior of the airline staff. He alleged that staff members and a fellow passenger falsely claimed to be recording the incident, while also playing private voice messages over the speakerphone inappropriately.
Furthermore, Gupta highlighted discrepancies in the fees charged for the rescheduled flight, citing that the actual change fee was Rs 40,000, but he was offered a "discounted" rate of Rs 3,000 per passenger."A 90% discount? Instantly? Without me asking for it? Super suspicious," he stated.
Lashing out at the airline’s lack of accountability, Gupta said, “Everyone asks you to go to the next counter, trying to exhaust your anger and genuine frustration. You waste my time, you take more of my money, but no one dares take any accountability.”
Gupta claimed that IndiGo offered him Rs 6,000 to delete his complaints from his viral posts. “Hi Navi, your team tried to bribe me with Rs 6,000 to remove this post. No apology, either written or verbal, issued. However, safe to say that social media pressure does work. Apparently Indigo HQ is now involved, but no help has been offered. I have a few questions for the CEO, please tell him Ill fly him out first class to my studio, and show him the unwavering Indian Tolerance we are famous for. Let us see what happens when we air that episode,” Gupta said in a follow-up post on X.
Hi Navi, your team tried to bribe me with 6000 rupees to remove this post.
— Prakhar Gupta (@prvkhvr) January 23, 2025
No apology, either written or verbal, issued.
However, safe to say that social media pressure does work. Apparently Indigo HQ is now involved, but no help has been offered.
I have a few questions for… https://t.co/U7pWqDRZVT
IndiGo Responds To Passenger's Allegation
IndiGo, in a press statement, cited airspace restrictions due to Republic Day as the reason for the inconvenience caused to passengers. Responding to bribery allegation, the airline also stated that a refund of fees charged towards re-accommodation on the next flight was issued as a "goodwill gesture for brand loyalty".
"In light of airspace restrictions associated with Republic Day, flight schedules for all airlines operating from Delhi, including ours, have been affected. We promptly communicated these schedule adjustments to passengers upon implementation. Our teams made every effort to assist passengers arriving after the revised timings," the statement read.
"In one instance, a passenger who arrived beyond the original flight time was extended the option of an alternative flight with minimal charges. Later, the customer was offered a refund of fees charged towards reaccommodation on the next flight amounting to INR 5998 in total, for him and his co-passenger, purely as a goodwill gesture for brand loyalty. At IndiGo, we prioritise courteous guest support and strive to deliver a positive travel experience for all our customers," it added.
ALSO READ | Hyderabad Man Claims IndiGo Staff Left His Luggage In Qatar Due To 'Lack Of Space', Airliner Responds
Top Headlines
