Over 700 passengers protest at IGI Airport shouting slogans against Lufthansa airlines

New Delhi, September 3

Over 700 passengers staged a protest inside the Indira Gandhi International Airport while 200 others mostly their relatives outside the airport against Lufthansa airlines. 

The incident took place on September 1 when Lufthansa informed that it is cancelling almost all passenger and cargo flights on Friday due to the planned strike action by the pilots. The flights have been cancelled from its two biggest hubs, Frankfurt and Munich. 

The protesters were pacified by the CISF and Delhi Police after being assured that efforts were being made to make alternate arrangements for the passengers by the airlines company.

The officials said that the passengers, who were bound for Frankfurt and Munich, staged a protest at departure Gates No. 6 and 7 outside the check-in area due to cancellation of flights. 

300 passengers of Frankfurt bound Lufthansa flight, which was scheduled for departure at 2.50 am and 400 passengers of Munich bound Lufthansa flight, which was scheduled for departure at 1.10 am came along with their relatives, and got to know about the flight cancellation. Both the flights were cancelled by the Lufthansa headquarters due to a one-day worldwide strike of all the pilots of Lufthansa airlines for salary appraisals.

The officials stated that they started raising slogans and alleged that Lufthansa airlines neither provided full refund nor provided alternate flight and hotel accommodation due to which passengers, those who entered into terminal as well as those present at departure alighting area along with their relatives, staged a protest. 

The passengers also captured videos of the incidents and several videos went viral on social media. 

In one of the tweets, a passenger said that roads were blocked, with passengers’ cars and cabs being stuck. A video appeared to show passengers sitting and waiting on the asphalt, while others crowded about. Slogans of “band karo, band karo” were also audible from protestors.

Another tweet showed passengers stranded at Delhi airport on account of the strike, with a video appearing to show passengers stuck inside the airport, along with piles of luggage. Calls of “we want justice” and “zindabad” could also be heard.

Another passenger had tweeted a complaint to Lufthansa, and claimed they were only willing to compensate them Rs 6,000 for accommodation when they were stuck from 8 pm to 4 am.