A Passenger Says He Was Dragged Off Plane for Complaining About Mosquitoes
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
A passenger on IndiGo, a large budget carrier in India, says he was grabbed by the collar and dragged from a plane before takeoff because he complained to the flight crew about mosquitoes on board the aircraft Monday morning.
Saurabh Rai, a cardiologist from Bengaluru, says he had boarded his flight from Lucknow (LKO) to Bengaluru (BLR) when he complained to the crew about the aircraft being “full of mosquitoes.” “When I raised an objection, I was manhandled by the crew and offloaded from the aircraft,” Rai told India Today. “I was even threatened.”
According to IndiGo, however, Rai was the one issuing threats and exhibiting “unruly behavior.” Before “cabin crew on board could address his concerns, Mr Rai aggressively expressed his annoyance and started to use threatening language,” the carrier told India Today. Rai “attempted to instigate other passengers on board to damage the aircraft, and used words such as hijack,” IndiGo says. At which point, the crew informed the pilot of his behavior, and the pilot decided to off-board Rai.
They held me by the collar and dragged me through the aisle, I heard crew saying ‘if you have a problem with mosquitoes then why don’t you leave India?’: Dr. Saurabh Rai, Passenger who was offloaded from IndiGo flight in Lucknow after alleged altercation over mosquitoes in flight pic.twitter.com/oAQO6cTTAH
— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2018
Pesky bugs on board aircraft are not unheard of. In March, passengers on a WOW Air flight were shocked to find it infested with ants, forcing passengers to leave all their luggage and personal belongings on the aircraft to await fumigation. And earlier in April, a bed bug infestation was reported in a seating area of one terminal in the Kansas City Airport (MCI).
Featured image by Marka/UIG via Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn a $200 statement credit after your first Delta purchase within the first three months. Offer ends 7/28/21.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months and a $200 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months. Offer expires 7/28/2021.
- Limited Time Offer: Plus, get a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable 15.74%-24.74%. Offer expires 7/28/2021.
- Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost®. Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help you reach Medallion Status.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.