60 Indians stranded at Kuwait airport for over 13 hours depart for Manchester

KUWAIT CITY: The stranded passengers of Gulf Air flight departed at 04:34am (local time) on Monday from Kuwait, Indian Embassy in Kuwait said in a statement. The statement added that the embassy team was on the ground till the flight departed.

Around 60 Indian passengers were left stranded at Kuwait International Airport for over 13 hours on Sunday after their Gulf Air flight was diverted there due to a technical snag.

In a post on X, it said, “Gulf Air flight to Manchester finally departed at 0434 hours today carrying stranded Indian passengers among others. Embassy team was on the ground till the flight departed.”

Gulf Air flight to Manchester finally departed at 0434 hours today carrying stranded Indian passengers among others. Embassy team was on the ground till the flight departed. pic.twitter.com/47GVer4Bs4

— India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) December 2, 2024

Check in for the flight carrying stranded passengers, including Indians, from Kuwait to Manchester has started. Embassy @indembkwt team is at the airport to facilitate the Indian passengers. pic.twitter.com/27tMk54zvC

— India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) December 1, 2024

The passengers, travelling on Gulf Air flight GF 005 from Mumbai to Manchester, complained of facing discomfort as the airline failed to provide food, accommodation, or basic assistance during their extended wait.

The situation escalated as passengers voiced their grievances on social media, which eventually prompted a response from the Indian Embassy in Kuwait. The Embassy said, “Food and water is available for the stranded passengers at the lounges”.

Food and water is available for the stranded passengers at the lounges.

— India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) December 1, 2024

Embassy has been informed by Gulf Air that the flight for stranded passengers from Kuwait to Manchester is tentatively scheduled at 3.30 am on 2 Dec. This is being conveyed to all passengers by the Embassy team at the airport.

— India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) December 1, 2024

The embassy officials said that the passengers were accommodated in two airport lounges. “Embassy had immediately taken up the matter with Gulf Air in Kuwait. A team from Embassy is at the airport to assist the passengers and coordinate with the airline. Passengers have been accommodated in 2 airport lounges”.

Embassy @indembkwt had immediately taken up the matter with Gulf Air in Kuwait. A team from Embassy is at the airport to assist the passengers and coordinate with the airline. Passengers have been accommodated in 2 airport lounges. pic.twitter.com/1OySe3KGLc

— India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) December 1, 2024

Arzoo Singh, one of the stranded passengers travelling from Mumbai to Manchester, shared her frustration with ANI, explaining the dire situation. “After we raised the issue on social media, senior officials from the Indian Embassy in Kuwait reached out to the Indian passengers stuck at the airport,” she said.

Singh went on to explain that they were unable to leave the airport since they did not have a transit visa, whereas UK and US passport holders were allowed to exit due to the availability of a transit visa on arrival.

Another passenger, Shivansh, who was also on the flight, took to social media to express his frustration. “Reading Why Bharat Matters while getting stuck in Kuwait without any help. All British passport holders got their hotels sorted with on-arrival visas, while Indian passport holders have been left stranded without any info, food or any kind of help. Please help and provide us a visa so that at least we can get a hotel and wait for the next flight”, he said in a post on X. (ANI)