Procedural Lapse Redirects Vistara Passengers to Domestic Terminal at Mumbai Airport
Mumbai, 5th February 2024: Passengers arriving from Dubai on a Vistara flight destined for Mumbai recently faced an unexpected detour as they were directed to the domestic terminal at Mumbai airport, bypassing customary customs and immigration clearance procedures. This procedural anomaly has prompted an investigation by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
Immigration officials confirmed that passengers were subsequently summoned back from the baggage claim area to complete the requisite formalities. Vistara, responding to the incident, asserted that its teams collaborated with security agencies and relevant authorities to promptly rectify the situation, ensuring passengers were guided to the designated area for the completion of arrival procedures.
In an official statement, Vistara expressed regret for the inadvertent inconvenience caused to passengers and acknowledged the necessity for a reassessment and enhancement of their standard operating procedures. The airline affirmed its commitment to preventing any recurrence of such incidents in the future.
A reliable source familiar with the situation clarified that the deviation resulted from an error on the part of the bus driver responsible for transporting passengers from the tarmac. Upon recognizing the oversight, the ground staff promptly recalled all passengers. While the incident did not constitute a security breach, it was acknowledged as an avoidable occurrence that warrants a thorough review of procedural protocols to prevent similar mishaps in the future.
