Chaos Erupts at Patna Airport as Air India Express Flights Land Without Passenger Baggage
Patna, India – Scenes of frustration and anger unfolded at Patna’s Jayprakash Narayan International Airport on Saturday, June 21, 2025, as passengers arriving on two Air India Express flights discovered their checked baggage had been left behind. The unexpected incident, involving flights from Bengaluru and Chennai, sparked considerable chaos and once again cast a spotlight on Air India’s operational challenges.
The flights in question, IX-2936 from Bengaluru and IX-1634 from Chennai, landed at Patna on Saturday morning, with passengers proceeding to the designated baggage belts with usual anticipation. However, their confusion turned to dismay as the conveyor belts remained empty, and it became clear that their luggage had not made it to the city.
Reasons Cited: Weather, Runway, and Weight Restrictions
Airline representatives and airport officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, attributed the issue to a combination of factors. They cited bad weather conditions in Bengaluru and Chennai as the primary reason for the baggage not being loaded. This was reportedly compounded by Patna airport’s shorter runway and strict weight restrictions, forcing airlines to offload checked baggage to meet maximum take-off weight requirements for safety protocols. “This happens occasionally when departing from Patna where airlines are forced to unload checked baggage to meet the maximum take-off weight. The airport’s shorter runway makes it more likely,” an official explained.
Passengers’ Fury and Disruption
Passengers expressed outrage over the lack of prior notification about their missing bags. Many confronted airline staff, demanding immediate answers and highlighting the severe inconvenience caused. “All my medicines are in that luggage. I can’t wait another day,” one furious flyer was quoted as saying, underscoring the critical nature of some of the missing items.
The chaos intensified as several passengers, especially those with onward travel plans, found themselves stranded and facing missed connecting flights. CISF personnel and airline ground staff had to intervene to manage the agitated crowds.
Air India Express officials reportedly assured passengers that arrangements were being made to bring the missing baggage on subsequent flights and that it would be delivered directly to their home addresses once it arrived, likely by Sunday. However, no official statement had been issued by Air India as of Saturday evening.
Broader Context of Air India’s Recent Disruptions
This incident at Patna adds to a series of operational challenges faced by Air India recently. The airline is already grappling with widespread flight disruptions, including a temporary curtailment of 15% of its international wide-body operations until mid-July. These disruptions stem from enhanced safety inspections mandated after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, as well as ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting airspaces.
The Patna baggage fiasco further strains public confidence in Air India as it strives to regain operational stability and rebuild trust following a challenging period.