Bhubaneswar: An FIR has been registered after a woman passenger allegedly created a disturbance at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), damaging equipment worth an estimated ₹49,000 following the cancellation of an IndiGo flight to Kolkata, officials said on Friday.
Incident and police action
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and airport police reported that the passenger, identified in the complaint as Mamoni Kharat, became irate after IndiGo flight 6E 7352, scheduled to operate from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata, was cancelled. The cancellation was attributed by the airline to a technical snag identified during mandatory pre‑departure inspection.
According to the complaint filed at the Airfield/Airport police station, the woman allegedly damaged a monitor, a keyboard and a passport‑swiping machine at the departure lounge. The AAI estimated the loss to airport property at ₹49,000. The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday evening; media reports give the timing of the disturbance as around 6 pm, while other official accounts noted the flight had been delayed and cancelled earlier in the day.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel and airline staff intervened. Rabindranath Meher, IIC of the Airport police station, confirmed an FIR has been registered and said an investigation is underway.
Airline response and passenger relief
IndiGo in a statement, cited in reports, said the airline regretted the inconvenience and outlined steps taken to assist affected customers, including providing regular updates, refreshments, accommodation and alternate travel options or refunds as applicable. The PTI account added that the flight operator arranged refreshments and offered flight coupons of ₹5,000 as compensation to passengers.
“IndiGo flight 6E 7352, scheduled to operate from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata on August 13, 2026, was cancelled due to a technical snag identified during the mandatory pre‑departure inspection of the aircraft. We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers and took all efforts to minimise the same,” the airline statement said, as reported.
Local context and consequences
The case highlights two recurring issues for travellers using BPIA: disruptions caused by last‑minute technical cancellations and the difficulty of communicating operational changes promptly to all passengers. Media footage of the episode circulated widely on social platforms, showing the passenger angrily confronting staff and, according to the complaint, climbing onto equipment in the departure area.
Authorities said the passenger later travelled to Kolkata by a connecting flight via New Delhi after the disturbance. The FIR addresses alleged unruly behaviour, damage to airport property and creating a public nuisance, and the matter is under investigation.
- Alleged damage: monitor, keyboard, passport‑swiping machine (AAI estimate: ₹49,000).
- Flight: IndiGo 6E 7352 (Bhubaneswar–Kolkata), cancelled due to a technical snag.
- Action taken: FIR lodged at Airport police station; CISF intervened; passengers offered refreshments and compensation.
| Item | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated property damage | ₹49,000 (AAI) |
| Compensation offered | ₹5,000 flight coupons (reported) |
| Flight number | IndiGo 6E 7352 |
Practical note for travellers
Passengers at BPIA are reminded to follow instructions from airline and CISF staff during delays or cancellations. In cases of disruption, travellers should retain boarding passes and any communication from the carrier to help with re‑booking, refunds or compensation claims. Airline statements and the AAI procedure remain the primary recourse for grievances; criminal complaints may follow where there is alleged damage to public property.
Airport and airline authorities have said investigations will ascertain the circumstances of the disturbance and quantify the loss. The police probe is ongoing.
