New Delhi: The prolonged ordeal of over 250 Virgin Atlantic passengers, many of whom are Indians, has captured international attention as they remain stranded in Turkey’s Diyarbakir airport for more than 40 hours. The arduous journey began when their London-Mumbai flight, VS358, was diverted to Diyarbakir on April 2 due to a medical emergency. This unexpected turn of events was compounded by subsequent technical issues that left the aircraft grounded.
As the situation unfolds, Virgin Atlantic has been working diligently to resume the flight. Pending technical approvals, the airline plans to continue the journey to Mumbai on April 4 at 12:00 local time. However, if these approvals are not secured, passengers will face a bus transfer to an alternative airport within Turkey for a different flight to their destination. In an effort to mitigate the discomfort, passengers have been provided with hotel accommodations and refreshments. Despite these efforts, the experience remains grueling, with passengers and their families voicing concerns about inadequate facilities, such as limited toilet access and the absence of blankets in chilly conditions.
The plight of these travelers has sparked outrage on social media, highlighting the severe challenges faced by passengers, including pregnant women and elderly individuals who have endured subpar conditions for over a day. The Indian Embassy in Ankara has stepped in, monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with relevant authorities to expedite a resolution.
