‘IndiGo, you're going down': Man misses connection flight from Jaipur, claims he lost Rs 2.65 lakh deal

Indian Express

10 hours ago

A LinkedIn post by Chayan Garg has stirred debate online after he recounted how poor handling by IndiGo staff at Jaipur airport allegedly caused him to miss a crucial flight, ultimately costing him a client deal worth Rs 2.65 lakh.
In a post titled 'IndiGo, you're going down,' Garg described how what was meant to be a routine work trip from Jaipur to Mumbai turned into him losing a 'high-stakes client meeting.'
'I reached the airport at 4:40 AM, cleared security by 5:10 AM, and was told by the IndiGo executive that boarding would begin in 10–15 minutes,' Garg wrote. With time to spare and the boarding gate crowded, he said he briefly stepped away to use the washroom. 'When I came back after 12 minutes, I was told boarding was closed. I was literally surprised as the boarding was supposed to start, not end.'
What frustrated him further, he claimed, was the lack of any announcement. When he questioned the staff, he was told that Jaipur is a 'silent airport' where announcements are minimal. However, Garg countered this by pointing out that 'just minutes earlier, there was an announcement for the Dehradun flight from IndiGo.' When he mentioned this to the staff, 'they denied it straight to my face.'
Despite pleading with staff and explaining the urgency of his client meeting, Garg says he was not allowed to board and received no support. 'No alternate option. No help with the next flight. No refund. No empathy,' he wrote.
The fallout, he claims, was severe: 'We lost the client. Rs 2.65 lakh down the drain. A month's effort gone in seconds.' He ended the post by tagging consumer rights advocate Revant Himatsingka and asking for help, 'I'm genuinely clueless right now.'
The post quickly went viral, striking a chord with many online. One user commented, 'I cannot imagine the number of people who have gone through something similar but were never properly compensated because they lack a platform and people who would listen. I really hope this post helps all of them.'
Another user commented: 'I am sorry for what you went through, and I am not related to IndiGo, but if you tell the situation to the client, I am sure they would understand. If they don't, you should be grateful that you didn't end up working with someone who does not understand uncontrollable circumstances.'
Some users also raised practical concerns, with one said, 'Strange. Normally they call on your mobile number if you miss the boarding, personal experience. Early morning flights are boarded before time as the plane is already parked overnight and they have to reduce time lag throughout the day.'
IndiGo eventually responded to the controversy, acknowledging the passenger's frustration but standing by their protocol. 'Dear Mr Garg, we understand how disappointing it can be to miss a flight, and our carefully planned travel gets disrupted. However, as per our review, the boarding gate closed 25 minutes before departure, in line with standard procedure. Unfortunately, your arrival was after gate closure, by which time final preparations for take-off were already underway. Our airport team offered the next available flight to support you, and while we respect your decision not to proceed with it, we genuinely appreciate your patience and understanding. At IndiGo, we are committed to continuously working towards smoother, more seamless journeys for all our customers,' the airline wrote in a comment.