Air India Express Probes Safety Breach After Passengers Stand During Taxi

Footage of the incident, which emerged on social media, captures multiple passengers on their feet within the cabin while the aircraft was in motion during ground operations. Aviation regulations mandate that all passengers remain seated with seatbelts fastened during taxiing, takeoff, and landing—critical phases of flight when sudden movements or turbulence can pose injury risks.

Air India Express acknowledged the incident in a statement, confirming that it has launched an internal investigation into the matter. The carrier said it is reviewing the circumstances that led to passengers being ambulatory during an active taxiing phase and indicated that appropriate action would follow the review.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about passenger compliance with safety protocols at Indian carriers. Airlines have previously cited passenger behavior and crew enforcement as persistent challenges, particularly during ground operations when some travelers become impatient to disembark or retrieve luggage.

Air India Express, a low-cost subsidiary of Air India, operates extensive domestic and regional routes. The airline did not specify when the incident occurred or provide additional details regarding potential crew response at the time.