Flying Through Fog: A Passenger’s Journey, Airline Responsibility, and the Future of Aviation in India

Air travel is often seen as a symbol of modern efficiency, yet moments of disruption reveal the deeper realities of infrastructure, communication, and human behavior. My recent journey with IndiGo Airlines from Delhi to Varanasi between 18–20 December 2025 offers an important case study—one that reflects not only individual passenger experience but also broader global trends in aviation management, climate-related disruptions, and public communication.

The Incident: Safety First, But Communication Matters

On 18 December 2025, the IndiGo flight from Delhi to Varanasi was unable to land due to zero visibility caused by dense fog—a common winter phenomenon in North India. The aircraft was diverted to Kolkata and later returned to Delhi.

From a global aviation safety perspective, this decision was correct. International aviation norms prioritize safety above all else, and landing in poor visibility without adequate CAT-III infrastructure would be irresponsible.

However, what followed exposed a recurring challenge in Indian aviation:

lack of timely, clear, and humane communication with passengers.

Passengers—many of them pilgrims, elderly individuals, children, and ill persons—were left confused, receiving limited updates. While safety was ensured, emotional reassurance and logistical clarity were insufficient.

I expressed this concern publicly on social media, tagging relevant authorities—not to blame, but to highlight the gap between operational safety and passenger care.

https://x.com/neodalit/status/2001649103705698339?s=20

Ground Reality: Understanding Constraints with Empathy

That night, I stayed in a hotel arranged by myself. Though I was hungry, food arrived late at night. Importantly, I acknowledge that:

• 19 December had no scheduled flights

• The ticket price was low

• It is not always financially viable for airlines to provide hotels in such disruptions

From a global low-cost carrier (LCC) model, this is understandable. Airlines like IndiGo operate on thin margins, similar to Ryanair or AirAsia.

What stood out, however, was the human dimension:

• Indian passengers tend to become chaotic under stress

• Airline staff, especially young frontline workers, carry enormous emotional pressure

At Delhi Airport on 18 December, I noticed a young IndiGo staff member visibly stressed. When I handed over my boarding pass, he handled the change smoothly, calmly, and professionally. This moment reflected the silent resilience of aviation workers—often overlooked in public criticism.

A Turnaround Experience: 20 December 2025

On 20 December, my flight finally operated.
The experience was remarkably positive.

• The attitude of IndiGo staff onboard was excellent

• Professional, polite, and genuinely people-oriented

• Clear announcements and a calm environment

This reinforced my belief that IndiGo’s core strength lies in its human resources. Despite structural limitations, its staff often go beyond expectations.

I later tweeted upon reaching Delhi T2, as I prepared for arrival in Kashi—a journey deeply spiritual for millions of pilgrims.

https://x.com/neodalit/status/2002223647499653479?s=20

Pilgrimage Flights Are Different

Flights to destinations like Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, or other pilgrimage centers are not ordinary commercial routes. They carry:

• Elderly passengers

• Children

• Medically vulnerable travelers

• People driven by faith, not convenience

Globally, airlines operating pilgrimage routes (e.g., Hajj flights, Vatican routes) adopt special passenger-care protocols.

Indian airlines must do the same.

At minimum:

• Clear multilingual communication

• Priority food and water for children, elderly, and the sick

• Visible help desks during disruptions

Policy-Level Reflections: Aviation, Monopoly, and Modernization

This experience also raises larger structural questions:

1. Fog-resistant infrastructure
   The Government of India must support airlines with:

   • Advanced landing systems

   • Better fog-navigation technologies
     This is not just an airline issue—it is a public infrastructure responsibility.

2. Strengthening Air India
   A strong national carrier ensures diversity, competition, and resilience. Globally, aviation ecosystems function best when no single corporate group dominates.

3. Against concentration of business power
   I do not support the control of India’s critical sectors by a few families or corporations. Aviation must remain competitive, diverse, and accessible.

Faith, Reflection, and Perspective

With no flight on 19 December (Amavasya), I spent the day in reflection and prayer, visiting Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi and praying to Mother Kali. Sometimes disruptions create unexpected moments of spiritual grounding.

Critique with Care, Loyalty with Logic

I remain critical where necessary—but fair.

• Safety decisions were right

• Communication needs improvement

• Staff professionalism deserves appreciation

• Policy reform is essential

Despite everything, I say this clearly:

👉 I still love IndiGo.

Because institutions improve not through blind praise or blind anger—but through honest feedback, humane understanding, and systemic reform.