Over 260 Passengers Stuck at Diyarbakir Airport After Virgin Atlantic Flight’s "Hard Landing"

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A Virgin Atlantic flight traveling from London to Mumbai has been stranded at Turkey's Diyarbakir Airport for over 30 hours due to a technical malfunction, with more than 260 passengers on board. The airline has referred to the situation as a "hard landing," after which the aircraft was declared unfit for flight. While the crew has been sent to a hotel, the passengers remain stuck in the airport’s restricted transit area, where basic facilities are lacking.

Passengers have accused the airline of failing to provide essential amenities such as food, toilets, and charging points. AAP leader Preeti Sharma-Mennon posted on X, stating, "There is only one toilet for 275 passengers, no representative is in contact, and there is no phone charging facility."

Response from the Indian Embassy:

The Indian Embassy in Turkey stated that they are in contact with Virgin Atlantic and local authorities. Some passengers have been shifted to a nearby hotel, and a backup flight is expected to be ready by 9 AM. Among the stranded passengers are children, elderly people, pregnant women, and sick individuals, and their condition remains a significant concern.