Watch: Indigo passenger punches captain while making announcement of delay in Delhi, probe ordered

A distressing incident occurred aboard an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Goa, which was captured in a video that subsequently went viral on social media. 

The flight, numbered 6E-2175, faced significant delays due to dense fog conditions, leading to heightened tensions among passengers.

The situation escalated when a passenger, identified as Sahil Kataraia and dressed in a yellow hoodie, physically assaulted the pilot of the aircraft. 

In the video, the captain can be seen making an announcement on delays. Suddenly, the passenger - wearing a yellow hoodie - runs up to the captain and slaps him on the face. A flight attendant standing beside the captain immediately comes to his rescue and stands in front of the captain, trying to address the situation. The passenger is then pulled behind by another man - wearing a sky blue hoodie - as commotion spreads inside the cabin.

"Sir, aap aisa nahin karsakte (Sir, you cannot do this)," the flight attendant, sheilding the captain, is heard saying in the viral video.

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The pilot was in the process of making an announcement regarding the delay, which had already spanned several hours. 

The assault took place after the original crew had been replaced due to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations, which ensure the well-being of pilots and flight attendants by mandating sufficient rest periods to reduce fatigue.

In the video, the passenger can be seen running up to the captain and punching him across the face. A flight attendant quickly intervened, attempting to shield the captain and address the aggressive passenger. Another individual, wearing a sky blue hoodie, is seen pulling the assailant away as chaos ensues within the cabin.

The incident has led to widespread condemnation on social media, with many calling for strict action against the passenger, including placing him on a no-fly list. 

An FIR has been registered, and IndiGo has filed a complaint against Kataraia.

The aviation security agency has started an investigation regarding the viral video in which a passenger punched the pilot when an IndiGo flight (6E-2175) from Delhi to Goa was delayed due to fog. The passenger hit the pilot while the pilot was announcing flight delays yesterday at around 1 pm.

This event unfolded against a backdrop of numerous complaints against IndiGo for delays and cancellations. 

Notably, actor Radhika Apte shared her own negative experience with the airline on Instagram, detailing how passengers were locked at the aerobridge of the Mumbai airport without access to food or restrooms.

The disruptions at Delhi airport were severe, with flight tracker website flightradar24 reporting that as many as 110 flights were delayed and 79 cancelled on the same day, with an average delay of 50 minutes. Major airlines, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Vistara, have issued warnings that the ongoing adverse weather conditions could continue to affect flight schedules.

The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is responsible for establishing FDTL norms, which are designed to ensure the safety and health of aviation personnel. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of airline staff and the impact of operational pressures on both employees and passengers.