Manipur : Air India, Indigo operate special flights to and from Manipur, help stranded passengers

Tata Group-owned Air India operated special flights from Manipur to accommodate stranded individuals amid escalating ethnic conflict in the region. The airline company also offered a waiver to passengers who rescheduled and cancelled their flights to and from Imphal airport. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) also took various measures to assist air passengers amid the recent unrest in Manipur, while Air India and IndiGo have waived rescheduling and cancellation fees for flights to and from Imphal from May 4 to 7.

The AAI is coordinating with the state government to transport stranded passengers from the airport to the city under escort, and a help desk has been set up with internet facilities to print tickets since internet services are unavailable in the state. Airline companies also operated special flights to and from Imphal and helped the stranded passengers. The companies also waived off the cancellation and rescheduling fees between May 4 and 7.

As of May 6, 10,531 passengers have been handled at Imphal airport, and the total flight movements were 108, including 50 defence movements and 6 additional flights. Air India has also operated special flights to and from Imphal on May 6 and 7, while IndiGo has operated two special flights from Imphal to Kolkata on May 7.

The recent unrest in Manipur originated in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district on Wednesday, during the “Tribal Solidarity March” organized by the All-Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM). This event brought together members of various tribes, including Nagas and Kukis, to voice their opposition to the demand by the Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in the state.