Bengaluru, Dec 5 (NationPress) Severe disruptions in the services of IndiGo Airlines, attributed to technical difficulties and a pilot shortage, have resulted in thousands of travelers being stranded at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, according to authorities on Friday.

This disarray has led to missed weddings, funerals, and religious trips, with passengers voicing their frustrations over the lack of clear communication and inadequate support on the ground.

In a notable instance, a bride and groom traveling from Bhubaneswar to Hubballi found themselves unable to attend their own reception after their IndiGo flight was unexpectedly cancelled.

With no other travel options available, the couple participated in the ceremony online while the bride's parents took their places at the reserved seats, receiving well-wishes from attendees.

The video of the virtual wedding reception has since gone viral across social media platforms.

The reception for bride Medha Kshir Sagar and groom Sangam Das took place on Wednesday at the Gujarat Bhavan in Hubballi.

Apologizing to family members for their virtual attendance, the bride expressed that she had no alternative after the flight cancellation.

The bride's father remarked, "Our daughter was supposed to travel to Hubballi from Bhubaneswar. The cancellation of her flight forced us to organize an online reception. We had planned the event here following their wedding on November 23, and with everything arranged and 700 guests invited, we had to devise alternative solutions. About 650 people attended, and as suggested by relatives, we occupied the bride and groom's seats."

He added that the tickets were booked two months prior and the couple was scheduled to arrive in Hubballi on December 2.

"We are uncertain of the airline's situation," he stated.

The disruptions have impacted many passengers with urgent travel requirements.

A family en route to Indore for a wedding was also stranded in Bengaluru, as was the bridegroom, along with numerous passengers whose luggage was sent to a different flight and not returned.

An additional traveler heading for a funeral mentioned that his family was urgently seeking information on whether to proceed with the ceremony in his absence.

A foreign passenger arriving from Singapore for a connecting flight to Goa noted that her luggage was not returned and no onward flight was available, labeling the experience as a nightmare.

A group of pilgrims from Hyderabad traveling to Sabarimala via Kochi also found themselves stuck in Bengaluru.

The devotees expressed dissatisfaction with IndiGo Airlines for failing to provide basic amenities such as drinking water and shower facilities.

They reported that the disruption forced them to forgo several essential rituals while waiting indefinitely at the airport.

In a statement released on Thursday morning, IndiGo acknowledged that 52 arriving flights and 50 departing flights had been cancelled from Bengaluru Airport.

A subsequent advisory from the airline stated: "Passengers are advised that IndiGo flights from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru to Mumbai and Delhi are cancelled until 23:59 hours on December 5. For IndiGo flights to other destinations, we recommend passengers check the latest flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport."

"Our ground teams are actively working with IndiGo and all operational partners to reduce inconvenience and assist passengers during this disruption. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation," the advisory further emphasized.