In a surprising turn of events, an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Varanasi had to return to the bay on May 21, 2024, after it was discovered that the aircraft was carrying an extra passenger. This incident occurred just as flight 6E 6543 was taxiing for takeoff from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai.
The confusion began when a standby passenger, an IndiGo employee, was given a seat that was originally reserved for a confirmed passenger. Standby passengers, who do not have confirmed tickets and are flown subject to seat availability, often include airline employees traveling on leave. These employees are typically issued boarding passes only after the check-in period closes, usually 60 minutes before departure for domestic flights, ensuring no confirmed passengers are left without seats.
In this case, the standby passenger was allowed to board when a confirmed passenger had not yet reported by the time of check-in closure. However, the confirmed passenger, likely traveling without checked baggage, arrived at the boarding gate just in time and took the seat that had been given to the standby passenger. This resulted in the standby passenger standing in the galley, unnoticed by the crew until the aircraft began taxiing.
Upon spotting the extra passenger, the cabin crew informed the pilot, who then decided to return to the bay. This prompted a thorough check of all hand baggage and a possible recheck of any checked baggage if either passenger had checked luggage. The incident led to a delay of at least an hour as all protocols for security had to be followed, given the initial lapse.
IndiGo issued a statement acknowledging the error during the boarding process, apologizing for the inconvenience caused to the passengers, and committing to strengthening operational processes to prevent such incidents in the future. This incident has raised concerns about the airline’s boarding practices and overall operational efficiency.
Overbooking is a common practice in the aviation industry to maximize revenue, as not all booked passengers show up for their flights. However, this incident highlights the potential risks involved. According to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in April, 1,370 passengers were denied boarding for various reasons, including overbooking.
This is not the first time IndiGo has faced operational challenges. Earlier in the year, the airline had to pay fines for leaving passengers on the tarmac at Mumbai airport. Such incidents can tarnish the airline’s reputation, especially in an industry where safety and reliability are paramount.
The DGCA and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) are investigating this latest lapse to understand how the standby passenger managed to board the flight. They aim to ensure that such errors do not recur, emphasizing the need for robust processes in aviation operations.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent boarding protocols and the potential complications of overbooking, even as airlines strive to optimize seat occupancy and revenue.
