Air India Express Flights to Kathmandu Diverted, Passengers Protest

Nearly 180 passengers bound for Kathmandu from Bengaluru endured a grueling two-day ordeal on Air India Express flights disrupted by adverse weather, culminating in a heated protest at Kempegowda International Airport upon their return.

The troubles began on Thursday morning, February 26, when the flight departed Bengaluru at around 10:30 a.m. for Nepal's capital. Passengers, many of them vacationers including families with children and elderly travelers, anticipated a routine journey. However, the aircraft circled Kathmandu but could not land due to poor weather conditions and ultimately returned to Bengaluru late that evening without reaching the destination. Officials attributed the diversion to unfavorable atmospheric conditions beyond the airline's control, a common challenge for flights to the Himalayan region during certain seasons.

The following day, Friday, February 27, the airline attempted to ferry the same group to Kathmandu on a recovery flight. Again, the plane approached the airport but failed to land amid persistent bad weather. This time, the aircraft was diverted to Lucknow, where it touched down safely. Passengers reported being kept inside the cabin for...