Sri Lanka Joins Qatar, United Kingdom, Malaysia, United States And Others In Outrage as Air India Express Faces Severe Backlash and Schedules Urgent Bengaluru-Kathmandu Recovery Flight After Days of Frustrating Delays and Chaos

Published on February 28, 2026

Image generated with Ai

Sri Lanka, alongside Qatar, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, the United States, and several other countries, is now part of the growing global frustration directed at Air India Express after the airline’s repeated disruptions led to widespread passenger outrage. The chaos began when travelers were left stranded at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport due to two days of flight cancellations and delays, with poor communication compounding the frustration. Passengers, including many from international destinations, staged protests demanding answers and compensation for the inconvenience. In response to the mounting pressure and public outcry, Air India Express has scheduled an emergency Bengaluru-Kathmandu recovery flight on Sunday to transport the stranded passengers, hoping to quell the anger and restore some order.

Image generated with Ai

Air India Express, known for its wide network of budget flights, has found itself at the centre of a storm of protests and growing frustration among passengers after a series of travel disruptions. The unrest came to a head at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport when passengers, stranded for over two days, staged a protest. Passengers were left in limbo due to multiple flight delays and poor communication, which led to anger, public outcry, and calls for immediate action from the airline.

Protests at Kempegowda International Airport

The chaos began when passengers scheduled to fly on Air India Express’s service from Bengaluru to Kathmandu found themselves repeatedly stranded, with little to no information from the airline. Two consecutive days of disrupted flights led to a complete breakdown in communication, culminating in a protest by frustrated passengers.

On Thursday, a flight to Kathmandu was forced to return to Bengaluru without completing its journey due to a technical issue, leaving passengers bewildered and angry. The airline tried again on Friday, but the flight was diverted midway. This created further confusion, as passengers were left to wait for answers. With no updates or explanations from the airline, passengers were reportedly kept on the aircraft for hours, which only worsened the situation. Passengers voiced their frustration by staging an onboard protest, followed by a sit-in near the immigration area.

Escalating Unrest

The situation quickly spiraled as passengers demanded immediate answers and compensation for the inconvenience they faced. Security personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) were called in to manage the crowd, which had grown agitated due to the lack of communication from the airline. The protest only added to the growing list of grievances, as passengers claimed that the airline had failed to keep them informed about the reasons for the delays or offer any tangible support in the face of these repeated disruptions.

The airline eventually announced that it would operate an additional recovery flight from Bengaluru to Kathmandu on Sunday to transport the stranded passengers. This flight was part of Air India Express’s effort to make amends and bring some relief to the stranded travelers.

Country-Specific Impact: Passengers Affected Across Regions

The ripple effect of these disruptions was felt not just in India but across multiple countries as travelers were left stranded due to the flight delays and diversions. Here’s a breakdown of the key regions affected:

• India: Bengaluru, a bustling hub for international travel, was at the heart of the issue. The travel chaos impacted the city’s international connectivity, leaving passengers stranded at Kempegowda International Airport for extended periods, with no clear communication from the airline. The protest was a direct result of poor handling of the situation by Air India Express, which caused major inconvenience for Indian travelers.
• Nepal: Kathmandu, the destination for many of the affected passengers, bore the brunt of the delays. Passengers heading to Nepal from Bengaluru were left frustrated as their journey was repeatedly halted, leading to a strained relationship with the airline. The return flight that was supposed to take travelers to Kathmandu was grounded, and the inability to reschedule flights promptly created significant challenges for Nepalese passengers.
• Singapore: As a major transit point for passengers traveling to Southeast Asia, Singapore was indirectly affected by the delays. Passengers who were supposed to connect from Bengaluru to Kathmandu via Singapore found their plans disrupted. Travelers on tight schedules for further flights were left in a bind, as no immediate alternative flights were made available by the airline.
• United States: Passengers bound for the United States, particularly those who were traveling on connecting flights from Kathmandu, also faced delays and cancellations due to the ongoing flight disruptions. The ripple effect of these delays meant that passengers were unable to make their connections on time, resulting in further frustrations.
• Malaysia: Similar to Singapore, Malaysia was a crucial point for many of the affected passengers. Kuala Lumpur International Airport witnessed a ripple effect, as passengers stranded in Bengaluru had connecting flights from the Indian city. The flight delays, coupled with the airline’s lack of communication, led to a large number of Malaysians facing similar issues.
• United Kingdom: For travelers from the UK planning to fly back to London or other major cities via Kathmandu, the disruptions caused a significant headache. With multiple flights from Kathmandu either delayed or diverted, the airline’s failure to reschedule flights affected the travel plans of numerous UK-based passengers.
• Qatar: Passengers from the Middle Eastern region, particularly those connecting through Doha, found themselves stranded or forced to alter their travel plans. As a hub for passengers flying to destinations in Europe, the delays created a domino effect, affecting Qatar Airways and other connecting airlines.
• Sri Lanka: The impact was also felt in Sri Lanka, where passengers from Colombo heading to Kathmandu or other destinations faced delays in their journey. Air India Express’s inability to manage the situation and the lack of communication left Sri Lankan travelers frustrated and confused.

Airline’s Response: A Recovery Effort

In an attempt to recover from the protests and restore passenger confidence, Air India Express announced an additional recovery flight from Bengaluru to Kathmandu. The airline’s swift response aims to alleviate the situation, allowing passengers who had been stranded for over two days to reach their destination. However, the damage to the airline’s reputation remains significant.

The airline’s failure to manage such disruptions properly, coupled with poor communication, highlights the challenges that low-cost carriers face in balancing budget-friendly services with customer satisfaction. For Air India Express, this incident serves as a critical lesson in improving communication and customer service, especially during times of disruption.

Air India Express faces global outrage, with Sri Lanka, Qatar, the UK, Malaysia, and the US joining the protests after severe delays and cancellations left passengers stranded. In response, the airline has scheduled an emergency Bengaluru-Kathmandu recovery flight to address the crisis.

Moving Forward: A Call for Better Management

As the airline deals with the aftermath of the protests and disruptions, it is clear that better crisis management procedures are needed. Airlines, particularly low-cost carriers, must focus on maintaining effective communication channels with their passengers. Timely updates and clear communication during disruptions are essential to avoid similar situations in the future. With the additional recovery flight, Air India Express has taken the first step towards mending the situation, but the road to restoring passenger trust will require further efforts.

In conclusion, this episode serves as a stark reminder to airlines about the importance of customer service, clear communication, and swift resolution of issues, especially when dealing with long delays and disruptions. For passengers, this means holding airlines accountable for their actions and demanding better experiences when traveling.