Air India Express Faces Scrutiny as Passenger Continues Flight from Srinagar to Bhubaneswar Instead of Stopping in Delhi: New Update

Published on August 2, 2025

Air India Express is currently facing scrutiny after a passenger on one of its flights inadvertently missed a stopover and continued the journey to Bhubaneswar. The incident, which occurred on July 30, 2025, has led to an internal investigation by the airline, as well as an inquiry from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The situation has raised concerns about the airline’s procedures for passenger transfers, and how such lapses can be prevented in the future.

The Incident

The flight, designated IX 1128, was operating as part of a routine multi-leg connection from Srinagar to Delhi. Passengers who were continuing their journey to other destinations were expected to disembark in Delhi for onward connections. However, one passenger, originally scheduled to change flights in Delhi, inadvertently remained aboard the aircraft. As a result, the passenger ended up traveling to Bhubaneswar, the next scheduled stop on the flight, despite having no intention to travel there.

The aircraft, registered VT-EXA, was following its normal flight path, and standard procedures were in place for the transit process. Typically, at every stop, the airline staff verifies whether passengers are disembarking at the correct location or transferring to another flight. However, in this case, it appears that the usual protocols were either not followed or were not enforced effectively, leading to the oversight.

Lack of Proper Checks and the Role of Passengers

Airlines operate under strict protocols to ensure passenger safety and compliance. During flight connections, particularly when passengers are transitioning to other flights, cabin crew typically make repeated announcements to remind travelers about their upcoming stopovers and confirm the need for them to disembark. Flight attendants also conduct checks to ensure that all passengers are accounted for and that no one remains on the aircraft by mistake.

In this case, it appears that the passenger either fell asleep or misinterpreted the instructions during the layover at Delhi. As a result, he did not leave the aircraft at the scheduled stop. It is unclear whether the passenger failed to hear the announcements made by the crew or whether these announcements did not fully address the transfer process in an effective manner. Regardless of the cause, the lapse went unnoticed by both the cabin crew and ground staff, leading to the passenger’s unintentional journey to Bhubaneswar.

Air India Express’s Response and Immediate Actions

Upon realizing the error, Air India Express acted promptly. The airline confirmed that it had launched an internal investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that similar issues do not arise again. The airline stated that staff across all its stations would be reminded of the importance of adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs), particularly during passenger transfers. Additionally, crew members are being re-briefed to reinforce the importance of vigilance during layovers and stopovers.

Once the aircraft landed in Bhubaneswar, the airline arranged for the passenger to be placed on the return flight to Delhi, which departed later that evening. Upon arrival in Delhi, the airline provided overnight accommodation for the passenger and then rebooked them on a flight to their final destination, Bagdogra, two days later. Despite the inconvenience, the airline worked to resolve the situation as smoothly as possible.

BCAS Investigation and Security Implications

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) was immediately informed of the situation and began its investigation into the incident. The BCAS is examining how such a mistake could occur, given the multiple in-cabin announcements and the protocols typically followed for connecting passengers. One of the primary areas under investigation is whether human error, passenger inattention, or deficiencies in procedure were responsible for the mistake.

Given that airlines typically conduct several checks during passenger transfers, including verifying boarding passes and confirming onward travel status, the BCAS will focus on how these standard procedures were overlooked. The investigation will also evaluate the communication between cabin crew and ground staff to determine if there was any gap in coordination that allowed the passenger to remain on the aircraft.

Authorities will also assess whether the cabin crew adequately briefed the passengers during the transfer process. Even with repeated announcements, it is still the responsibility of the crew to ensure all passengers are correctly accounted for. The BCAS will consider whether better communication could have prevented this incident.

Operational and Procedural Concerns

This incident has brought to light potential gaps in the operational procedures of the airline, particularly concerning passenger transfers between connecting flights. It underscores the importance of ensuring that airlines have robust systems in place to monitor and verify the status of all passengers, particularly during stopovers.

The event raises questions about how airlines can improve their processes to avoid such lapses in the future. While the oversight in this case was unfortunate, it is a reminder of the need for continuous improvement in operational protocols. Airlines must ensure that their procedures are foolproof, particularly when handling passengers who are transferring between flights. Better training and more detailed checks could help ensure that no passengers are overlooked during transit.

Air India Express’s Future Plans

In response to this incident, Air India Express is expected to reassess its procedures for verifying passengers during layovers. It may implement additional checks to confirm that passengers who are supposed to disembark at a stopover have indeed done so. Crew members could be trained to conduct more thorough checks, ensuring that all passengers are accounted for before the aircraft continues its journey. These changes could involve increasing the frequency of announcements, conducting passenger headcounts, or improving communication with ground staff to ensure a smooth transfer process.

The airline may also review its technology systems to ensure that passenger transfer data is immediately updated and verified during stopovers. These systems could include digital checks that automatically flag passengers who should have disembarked but remain onboard. Such measures would complement the manual checks performed by crew members and provide an additional layer of security.

Conclusion

While the passenger in question was not harmed and has now safely reached their destination, the incident is a serious reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols in air travel. It highlights how small lapses in procedure can lead to significant operational issues. As the airline industry continues to grow, maintaining the integrity of passenger transfer systems and ensuring that all protocols are followed rigorously will be crucial to the safety and efficiency of airline operations worldwide.

The ongoing investigations by Air India Express and the BCAS will likely lead to important changes in the way the airline and others approach passenger transfers. With improved communication, more robust verification systems, and better crew training, airlines can work to prevent similar situations in the future, ensuring that the air travel experience remains safe and reliable for all passengers.