Singer Rahul Vaidya became one of the most visible faces of the massive IndiGo flight disruptions this week. The airline cancelled more than 100 flights on Thursday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across India. Among them was Rahul, who was travelling from Goa to Mumbai before heading to Kolkata for a scheduled performance. Known for his powerful voice and energetic stage presence, Rahul has built a loyal fan base through reality shows and live concerts. His commitment to honouring stage schedules, even under extreme travel stress, reflects his professionalism. Moreover, his candid updates on social media gave fans a raw glimpse into the struggles celebrities face when airlines fail to deliver.
Rahul’s Ordeal Documented Online
Rahul turned to Instagram to share his frustration. First, he posted a weary selfie on his Stories, writing, “One of the worst days to fly! And we have a show in Kolkata tonight… and still don’t know how we are going to reach there!” His words reflected the growing panic among passengers as cancellations piled up.
Soon after, he revealed the shocking cost of his journey. Displaying multiple boarding passes, Rahul disclosed that he had spent ₹4.2 lakh just to secure seats on domestic flights. He explained, “These boarding cards are worth 4.20 lakhs and it’s just till Bombay… and now Mumbai to Kolkata will be separate. This is the most expensive domestic travel ever done by me.”
The singer did not hold back his anger. In another post, he directly called out the airline, writing, “Indigo Airlines it’s almost impressive how awful you are! No words!” His frustration mirrored the sentiments of countless travellers who faced delays, cancellations, and skyrocketing ticket prices.
A Race Against Time
Despite the chaos, Rahul managed to reach Kolkata. He updated fans from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, describing his whirlwind schedule: “10 pm landed in Kolkata. 11 pm on stage. 1 am finished show. 1.40 am airport again. Shortest stay in Kolkata ever.” His words captured the exhaustion of a performer forced to battle airline mismanagement while still delivering for his audience.
IndiGo’s Response
Meanwhile, IndiGo faced mounting criticism as cancellations reportedly surged to nearly 200 per day. In a statement posted on X, the airline issued a public apology. It said, “IndiGo extends a heartfelt apology to all our customers and industry stakeholders who have been impacted.” The company added that it was working closely with aviation authorities including MOCA, DGCA, BCAS, AAI, and airport operators to restore normalcy.
However, the apology did little to calm passengers. With widespread delays, disrupted schedules, and limited communication, frustration remained high. Rahul’s ordeal became one of the most striking examples of how severely the chaos affected travellers nationwide.
Other Celebrities Also Affected
Rahul was not alone. Television actress Nia Sharma also faced the brunt of the crisis. She shared her experience on Instagram, calling it “the most chaotic day at the airport.” Nia revealed that her boarding pass cost her ₹54,000 for a domestic flight. She thanked a friend for helping her secure the ticket but admitted she was still unsure if she would reach her destination on time.
Similarly, Telugu actor Naresh Vijaya Krishna, Mahesh Babu’s stepbrother, expressed his disappointment on X. He described the Hyderabad airport scene as a “battle between ground crew and passengers” and lamented that the joy of flying had ended decades ago. His comments added another layer to the growing outrage against the airline.
The IndiGo disruptions have exposed the vulnerability of India’s busiest airline network. While thousands of passengers struggled, Rahul Vaidya’s costly and exhausting journey stood out as a symbol of the chaos. His posts not only highlighted the financial burden but also the emotional toll of unreliable air travel. With celebrities like Nia Sharma and Naresh joining the chorus of complaints, the airline now faces immense pressure to stabilise operations and rebuild trust among its customers.
