Flying is supposed to be the safest form of travel, but for one passenger, a flight with IndiGo turned into a nightmare. Ratnendu Ray recently took to social media to share his harrowing experience, warning others about the potential dangers of using the airline’s ramps.
On August 14, Ratnendu landed at Delhi’s T2 airport on an Indigo flight from Chennai. Instead of an aerobridge, passengers were directed to use a ramp to deboard. While it was slightly drizzling earlier, the rain had stopped by the time they exited the flight. However, the ramp was dark and had a rubber mat.
As he walked down the ramp, his foot slipped on a moist patch. In a matter of seconds, his ankle twisted, and he fell. The pain was unbearable, and he immediately knew something was seriously wrong. Other passengers helped him, and IndiGo staff quickly brought a wheelchair to take him to the airport clinic.
At the hospital, doctors diagnosed him with a trimalleolar fracture – a severe injury where the ankle joint is dislocated and shattered. Ratnendu underwent surgery, and his ankle now has metal plates and screws. The road to recovery was a painful one. He hasn’t been able to walk since August, and his doctors estimate it will take at least a year for him to regain full mobility.
When he lodged a complaint on the AirSewa portal, IndiGo’s response left him stunned. The airline claimed the ramp wasn’t wet enough to cause a slip, implying that the accident was his fault. They denied his request for compensation and made no commitments to improve ramp safety.
“I now have metal implants in my ankle, depend on a walker, and deal with swollen ankles and scars. Almost everyone I’ve spoken to says Indigo’s ramps are wobbly, steep, or slippery,” Ratnendu wrote.
He also found out that incidents like this are not isolated. Multiple reports have flagged the dangers of IndiGo’s ramps, and there has even been government intervention urging airlines to use aerobridges instead. Ratnendu’s story is a wake-up call for all travellers, especially the elderly, pregnant women, and those with mobility issues. His plea is simple – airlines need to prioritize passenger safety by improving ramp conditions, adding proper lighting, and using aerobridges whenever possible.
He shared the full story on a lengthy thread on X. You may read it here.
Be extra careful while deboarding the plane, people!