On Sunday, Indian passengers traveling from Mumbai to Manchester via Gulf Air found themselves stranded at Kuwait Airport for over 13 hours due to an emergency landing. The flight, which made a stopover in Bahrain, was forced to land back in Kuwait just two hours after departure due to unforeseen circumstances.

Gulf Air Passengers Face Uncomfortable Wait at Kuwait Airport

Around 60 passengers, primarily Indian nationals, were left in limbo without adequate support from the airline during the delay. As the hours passed, frustrations mounted, and several passengers were seen arguing with airport authorities. Reports on social media highlighted claims of unequal treatment, as Gulf Air allegedly offered accommodation only to EU, UK, and American citizens, leaving Indian passengers without assistance.

Indian Embassy Takes Action to Assist Stranded Passengers

Upon learning of the situation, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait swiftly intervened to help the stranded passengers. A team of embassy officials arrived at the airport to coordinate with the airline and ensure the passengers' comfort. The embassy confirmed that passengers had been provided access to two airport lounges, as no hotel accommodations were available due to the ongoing GCC Summit, which had made it difficult for the Indians to obtain entry visas.

Challenges Faced by Indian Nationals During the Delay

With the public holiday in Kuwait, the stranded passengers were unable to shift to hotels, adding to their distress. However, after continuous efforts by the embassy, the airline agreed to provide lounge access, ensuring that passengers were taken care of during the lengthy wait. Embassy officials also communicated with Gulf Air, confirming that the flight to Manchester was scheduled to depart at 3:30 AM on December 2nd.

Final Update: Flight Departs After Extended Delay

The flight finally departed from Kuwait Airport at 4:34 AM on December 2nd, carrying the Indian nationals and other passengers to Manchester. The Indian Embassy team remained on the ground until the flight took off, ensuring that all stranded passengers were accounted for.