Indian Passengers a dramatic turn of events that highlighted the fragility of international travel protocols, a group of nearly 60 Indian passengers who were left stranded for over 13 hours at Kuwait International Airport have finally boarded their rescheduled flight to Manchester. The situation, which unfolded due to an emergency landing of Gulf Air Flight GF005, sparked emotional distress, social media uproar, and diplomatic intervention before finally reaching a resolution in the early hours of December 2.
A Routine Flight Turns into a Nightmare
What began as a standard journey from Mumbai to Manchester with a brief layover in Bahrain quickly escalated into a crisis. Mid-flight, Gulf Air Flight GF005 was forced to make an emergency landing in Kuwait after one of its engines reportedly caught fire. The pilot’s decision to land immediately was crucial in avoiding a potentially disastrous situation, but it also set the stage for an ordeal none of the passengers anticipated.
Once on the ground in Kuwait, the real challenge began — particularly for Indian nationals who, due to Kuwait’s visa policy, were not allowed to exit the airport. Unlike passengers holding UK, EU, or US passports who were quickly provided hotel accommodations, Indian passport holders were confined to the airport with little information and inadequate support.
Stuck in Limbo: No Food, No Water, No Answers
For hours, passengers remained stuck in uncomfortable conditions without basic necessities like food, water, or rest areas. Many took to social media platforms to share their plight, hoping to attract the attention of airline officials and authorities who could assist.
“We just sat there, unsure of what would happen next,” said Arzoo Singh, one of the passengers. “When we requested access to airport lounges or at least food, we were told that only ‘entitled’ passport holders like those from the US or UK would receive such facilities. It felt humiliating to be treated like second-class citizens.”
Her voice echoed the frustration of dozens more who experienced what they described as a stark and unnecessary divide based on nationality. Mothers with young children, elderly passengers, and individuals with medical needs were all left to fend for themselves in terminal chairs.
Embassy Steps In: A Ray of Hope
As frustration and anxiety mounted, intervention came from the Indian Embassy in Kuwait. Alerted by passenger posts and media coverage, the embassy dispatched a team to the airport to ensure that their citizens received at least minimal support.
Officials arranged for temporary accommodations inside the airport, including access to two airport lounges where food and water were finally made available. While passengers were still not allowed to leave the terminal due to visa restrictions, the situation began to stabilize with the embassy’s help.
In a brief statement, the embassy noted that while efforts were made to accommodate the stranded Indians in the airport hotel, availability was limited due to the ongoing GCC Summit. Still, they maintained their presence on the ground and coordinated with Gulf Air to ensure that the passengers’ travel could resume as quickly and safely as possible.
Flight Finally Takes Off: Relief and Reflection
After more than half a day of uncertainty and stress, the Gulf Air flight carrying the stranded passengers finally departed at 4:34 AM local time, bound for Manchester. Embassy officials remained on-site until takeoff to ensure that all procedures were completed smoothly.
As the plane ascended into the early morning sky, a collective sigh of relief could be felt among the travelers. For many, the emotional weight of the past several hours would take time to process.
“This wasn’t just about a delayed flight. It was about being seen, being respected,” said another passenger, a university student traveling to the UK for exams. “I just hope no one else has to go through what we did.”
A Wake-Up Call for Global Travel Standards
The incident has sparked renewed conversation about how airlines and international airports handle emergencies — especially when passengers from different countries are affected. Many are now questioning the apparent inequities in how travelers are treated based solely on their nationality.
Travel experts and civil rights advocates have begun calling for more equitable crisis management protocols, urging airlines to establish clearer guidelines for such situations. In an interconnected world, they argue, it is unacceptable for travelers to be treated differently based on the passport they carry, especially in moments of vulnerability.
Moreover, this case underscores the need for greater coordination between airlines, airports, and diplomatic missions during emergencies. The quick response of the Indian Embassy undoubtedly prevented a worsening of the crisis, but critics say the airline should have anticipated the visa limitations and acted proactively.
Gulf Air Yet to Issue Detailed Statement
As of now, Gulf Air has not issued a detailed public statement explaining the sequence of events or addressing the complaints raised by passengers. There is growing anticipation around how the airline will respond — not only to the technical issues that led to the emergency landing but also to the allegations of discriminatory treatment on the ground.
Several passengers have expressed their intent to file formal complaints, both with the airline and aviation authorities, seeking accountability and redress for what they experienced.
A Story That Struck a Nerve
The story of these stranded Indian passengers has resonated across India and among the Indian diaspora abroad. Social media platforms have been flooded with expressions of support, anger, and calls for systemic change.
At its core, the incident is a human story — one of fear, frustration, solidarity, and ultimately, relief. It serves as a reminder that behind every flight number are real people with families, jobs, and hopes — and that their dignity should never be compromised, especially in times of crisis.
As the passengers finally touch down in Manchester and begin to recover from their ordeal, many carry with them not just the fatigue of a journey gone wrong, but the determination to ensure it never happens again — not for them, and not for anyone else.
