New Delhi, Jan 9: Utter chaos surfaced at Delhi domestic airport on Friday night, as the Air India made sudden changes in its schedule to favour an influential Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sartaj Singh, leaving passengers stranded. At least the schedule of three flights were altered which caused confusion among hundreds of commuters. Meanwhile, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Tathagat Satpathy began agitating within the airport premises. Also Read - International Flights: Air India Operates 5th Vande Bharat Flight to China, Carries Over 200 Passengers

The AI-437 flight, travelling from Delhi to Bhopal, faced an unexpected delay after the pilot of the aircraft had reportedly served his shift for the day. However, instead of delaying the flight till the arrival of next pilot, Air India assigned the pilot of Delhi-Bhubaneswar flight to take the aircraft to Bhopal. According to sources, this decision was taken due to the presence of Sartaj Singh, the minister of BJP ruled Madhya Pradesh government, being present on the Delhi-Bhopal flight. Also Read - International Flights: Air India Plans To Operate Special Flight From Basra To New Delhi On September 17 | Details Here

As a result, the Delhi-Bhubaneswar flight got delayed. BJD MP Tathagat Satpathy, who travelling back to Bhubaneswar, turned furious and began protesting within the airport premises. In order to pacify the parliamentarian, Air India assigned the Delhi-Bengaluru flight pilot to take the former to Bhubaneswar. (ALSO READ: Delhi airport’s immigration official’s alleged sexual harassment of woman, suspended) Also Read - International Flights: Air India Opens Booking For Flights to London From Kolkata | Check Details Here

However, the decision left the passengers of Delhi-Bengaluru flight frustrated and began complaining to the authorities. The chaos and ruckus continued till the wee hours of Saturday.

Minister of State, Civil Aviation, Mahesh Sharma has assured an inquiry into the incident. “Not yet informed of the situation. We will take the necessary steps,” he said.