Several Virgin Atlantic passengers found themselves stranded at a secluded Turkish air base after their flight was unexpectedly diverted. The incident occurred when a female passenger fell ill on flight VS358 from London to Mumbai, prompting an emergency landing at Diyarbakir airport in south-eastern Turkey. The Airbus A350 airliner experienced a technical issue preventing it from taking off again after the sick passenger was disembarked. Passengers criticized the airline for the lack of assistance and communication during the ordeal.
Passenger Preeti Sharma Menon shared on social media that the Indian consular officer in Turkey helped relocate the passengers to a hotel, but Virgin Atlantic had not provided a clear plan for their return home. The situation was further exacerbated by limited facilities at the airport, with passengers reporting a shortage of amenities despite cold temperatures. The Indian embassy in Turkey and the airline were coordinating efforts to resolve the situation for the affected passengers.
Eventually, a replacement flight departed for Mumbai, ensuring the passengers’ safe journey. A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson offered apologies for the inconvenience caused and confirmed the resumption of the flight to Mumbai after necessary approvals were obtained.
“We arranged overnight hotel accommodation for our customers before their continued journey today. We apologize for the delay and any inconvenience caused. Explore new perspectives with acclaimed British journalism. Experience a complimentary 1-month trial of The Telegraph, with unrestricted access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, special deals, and more.”
