An IndiGo flight from Lucknow to Delhi turned into an unexpected mosquito battleground, as a video posted by journalist Manisha Pande went viral on social media over the weekend.

Pande, who was aboard IndiGo flight 6E 2056, shared a brief clip-on X showing multiple passengers frantically waving their hands to swat mosquitoes that had infested the cabin before take-off.

“We paid ₹4,000 for this IndiGo flight from Lucknow to Delhi and got a mosquito safari,” she wrote in her tweet, which quickly gained traction across social platforms.

The video shows visibly frustrated passengers using safety cards, scarves, and bare hands to battle the mosquito swarm while seated inside the aircraft. The incident reportedly occurred while the aircraft was still on ground before take-off.

While this isn’t the first time mosquitoes have been reported aboard flights originating from mosquito-prone zones, the post brought renewed attention to the need for enhanced pest control measures in aircraft turnaround procedures, especially during humid seasons in cities like Lucknow.

IndiGo Responds

The viral post triggered a response from IndiGo’s official X account, which acknowledged the issue and attempted to reassure the public.

“Ms. Pande, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. We take your onboard experience seriously and strive to make every journey comfortable and pleasant. To prevent the entry of mosquitoes, our aircraft undergo regular fumigation, and patches are placed on seats,” the airline wrote.
IndiGo further added, “We're also coordinating with the airport to address this effectively. While we take every precaution, we hope you understand that mosquitoes can still enter through open doors.”

Passenger Unconvinced

Despite the airline's clarification, Pande remained critical, urging IndiGo to take concrete action beyond social media apologies. “Move beyond templated Twitter apologies and actually work on a solution,” she retorted in a follow-up post.

Health Hazard or Minor Inconvenience?

The incident sparked online debate, with many users questioning how such a lapse in cabin hygiene could happen in a controlled environment like an aircraft. Concerns were also raised over the potential health risks, particularly for young children, elderly passengers, and individuals with mosquito-borne allergies.

IndiGo Airlines has not released an official statement addressing the viral video or the specific flight conditions.

As India’s domestic air travel sector sees a post-pandemic boom, this viral episode highlights the importance of not just operational efficiency, but also passenger comfort and cabin hygiene that are often overlooked elements in the race for low-cost operations.

For now, passengers are left asking: If INR 4,000 gets you a seat and a mosquito safari, what’s next?