Pakistani man’s Mumbai layover on IndiGo flight goes viral on social media (VIDEO)
Singapore-based businessman shares his unique experience of transiting through the Indian airport
DUBAI: A Pakistani entrepreneur’s layover in Mumbai on an IndiGo flight has caught social media’s attention, with many surprised by the legal yet uncommon travel route.
Waqas Hassan, a Singapore-based businessman, was en route from Singapore to Saudi Arabia when he had a six-hour stopover at Mumbai airport.
While Pakistani passport holders need a visa to enter India, they can transit through Indian airports as long as they remain inside the terminal.
Pakistani man’s Mumbai layover
Hassan documented his experience in an Instagram video, explaining that Pakistanis can legally transit through India without stepping outside.
Walking through Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, he explored the terminal, relaxed at an airport lounge, and even tasted Mumbai’s famous vada pav. “It’s a pretty fun feeling,” he said, noting that even the airport staff were surprised to see his Pakistani passport.
Despite the smooth journey, Hassan admitted he was initially uncertain about booking the flight. “I’ve been travelling for 15 years, but nobody ever told me this was possible,” he said. His journey highlighted a little-known travel option for Pakistani passengers flying between other countries.
Social media reacts
Hassan’s video quickly went viral, attracting a flood of reactions. Some users welcomed his experience and expressed hope for relaxed travel restrictions between India and Pakistan. “So close yet so far due to politics,” one user commented. Others questioned the excitement of transiting through a country without being able to step outside.