Pilot Refuses Duty on IndiGo Flight to Thailand, Passengers Erupt in Chaos

Chaotic scenes were reported onboard an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Thailand’s Krabi after the pilot refused to fly citing the end of his permitted duty hours. The incident occurred on Thursday on flight 6E 1085, which was scheduled to depart at 4:05 am but was delayed by over three hours, according to flight-tracking data from Flightradar24.

Videos circulating on social media show angry passengers confronting cabin crew members over the prolonged delay. Several passengers were heard shouting, questioning the pilot’s refusal to operate the flight and expressing frustration over disrupted travel plans. One video also captured a passenger kicking the aircraft’s exit door, further escalating tensions inside the cabin.

According to IndiGo, the delay was caused by a combination of operational factors, including the late arrival of the incoming aircraft, air traffic congestion, and the flight crew exceeding their regulated duty time limits. The airline stressed that safety regulations strictly prohibit pilots from operating beyond prescribed working hours.

Also Read: Charter Plane Crashes Near Rourkela Airstrip, Miraculously All Passengers Safe

In its official statement, IndiGo confirmed that two passengers behaved in an unruly manner during the delay. “As per protocol, they were deboarded and handed over to security agencies, which led to additional delay,” the airline said. IndiGo added that meals and refreshments were served multiple times to minimise passenger inconvenience.

The flight, originally scheduled to land in Krabi at 10 am, eventually arrived at around 1 pm. IndiGo expressed regret over the disruption and reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and maintaining a respectful onboard environment, even amid operational challenges.

Also Read: Thai Soldier Wounded as Cambodian Mortars Cross Border, Ceasefire in Jeopardy