Indigo ‘co-pilot falls sick’, flyers to Bagdogra sit in plane for more than an hour at Kolkata airport

The flight was scheduled to depart from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 12.30 pm but took off at 1.41 pm.

On Wednesday, Indigo was in the news for another flight delay. 6E 5149 from Chennai to Mumbai was supposed to take off at 8 pm but got delayed by a few hours. (Photo/X/@IndiGo6E)

An Indigo flight to Bagdogra was delayed for over an hour Sunday afternoon after all passengers boarded the aircraft at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. The passengers said the airline informed them the flight was delayed because a co-pilot had fallen sick.

Indigo 6E-751 was scheduled to depart at 12.30 pm and arrive at Bagdogra in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal at 1.35 pm. But it took off at 1.41 pm and landed at Bagdogra at 2.43 pm.

“The flight was full, and all the passengers had boarded. Suddenly it was announced that the co-pilot had fallen sick and the aircraft remained stationed for over an hour,” said Anupama Singh, a passenger.

“The airline was looking for some replacement at the last moment, keeping passengers seated in the aircraft while
the aircraft remained stuck on the tarmac,” she added. ⁩

Repeated calls to Indigo for a comment on the issue went unanswered. However, on condition of anonymity, a staffer confirmed that the flight was delayed for more than one hour due to the “co-pilot’s absence”.

On Wednesday, Indigo was in the news for another flight delay. 6E 5149 from Chennai to Mumbai was supposed to take off at 8 pm but got delayed by a few hours.

As per the post of actor-comedian Kapil Sharma, who was among the stranded passengers, they were first made to sit in the airport bus and then later in the flight without a co-pilot.

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The co-pilot had reportedly exceeded his duty hours and did not turn up. The airline had to find a replacement at the last moment, leading to the delay.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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