Stranded Indian Flyers At Kuwait Airport Claim EU, US Pax Given Preferential Treatment

Last Updated:December 01, 2024, 22:02 IST

It was claimed that the Indian passengers were harassed and the airline reportedly provided accommodation only to passengers from the European Union, the UK and the US.

Several Indian passengers have been claimed to be stuck at Kuwait airport for around 13 hours. The passengers have complained of problems of not getting food or required assistance on social media platforms.

Several videos surfaced on social media platforms showing passengers of Gulf Air flight (Mumbai to Manchester) arguing with the airport authorities.

In an X post, it was claimed that the Indian passengers were harassed and the airline reportedly provided accommodation only to passengers from the European Union, the UK and the US.

Another X user named Shivansh alleged that all those who had British passport got their hotels, while the Indians are stranded without any information or any kind of help. The stranded passenger sought External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s help thorough his post.

“Reading WHY BHARAT MATTERS while getting stuck in Kuwait without any help. All British Passport holders got their hotels sorted with On-arrival visa while #IndianPassport holders have been left stranded without any info, food, or any kind of help. @DrSJaishankar @GulfAir,” he said on X.

Further, the passengers claimed that the flight took a U-turn before it landed in Kuwait. As per the reports, the flight was diverted mere 20 minutes before landing. Some even alleged that one of the engines of the flight had caught fire.

The Indian embassy in Kuwait took cognisance of the matter and said that a team from the embassy is at the airport to assist the passengers and coordinate with the airline, adding passengers have been accommodated in two airport lounges.

“Efforts are being made to accommodate passengers in the airport hotel which is currently unavailable due to ongoing GCC Summit. It may be noted that Indian nationals do not fall under visa on arrival facility in Kuwait. All government offices are closed today due to GCC Summit being hosted by Kuwait,” it said.

The embassy further informed that the airline has arranged a flight at 3:30 am on Monday for stranded passengers from Kuwait to Manchester. It said that food and water has been arranged for the stranded passengers at the lounges.

According to NDTV report citing a passenger, the flight was on its way from Bahrain to Manchester, after coming from Mumbai. After flying for around two hours, the flyers were told to prepare for emergency landing.

Gulf Air is yet to respond to the incident.