Aviation Ministry issues show-cause notices to IndiGo and Mumbai Airport over viral tarmac dining video

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday issued show-cause notices to both IndiGo and Mumbai Airport, after a video of passengers dining on the tarmac at the airport went viral on social media.

Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, conducted a late-night meeting with various ministry officials to address the matter. The notices require the concerned parties to provide their responses and explanations about the incident by the end of the day.

"Both Indigo and Mumbai airport were not proactive in anticipating the situation and making the appropriate facilitation arrangements for passengers at the airport," reads the aviation ministry's statement. As per the notice, authorities will take necessary action, including imposing financial penalties on the airlines and the airport if they fail to submit a viable explanation.

In response to the aviation ministry’s notice, IndiGo has stated that they have initiated an internal inquiry into the investigation. "IndiGo has already initiated an internal inquiry to address the issue and will be responding to the notice as per protocol," said the company in a statement.

Pictures and videos circulating on social media on Monday showed stranded passengers seated on the tarmac next to an aircraft in Mumbai, casually enjoying meals. This unusual scene stemmed from the recent flight disruptions at the Delhi airport caused by the dense fog situation.​