Pakistani Entrepreneur’s IndiGo Layover in Mumbai Surprises Airport Officials
A Pakistani entrepreneur has recently made headlines after traveling on an IndiGo flight with a layover in Mumbai, catching the attention of airport officials and social media users alike. Waqas Hassan, who holds a Pakistani passport, took a connecting flight from Singapore to Saudi Arabia with a six-hour stop in Mumbai. Although Pakistani citizens face a stringent visa process for entering India, transit through Mumbai without an Indian visa is legal—provided they remain within the airport premises.
In an Instagram video filmed at Mumbai airport, Hassan explained that his journey was entirely within the bounds of the law. “This time I’m flying from Singapore to Saudi Arabia. And currently I’m in Mumbai,” he said while showcasing his brief stay. During his transit, Hassan enjoyed the amenities at the airport lounge, purchased some souvenirs, and even sampled Mumbai’s popular vada pav.
Hassan, the founder of AiForAll and a seasoned traveler with 15 years of experience, admitted that he was initially cautious about booking his ticket due to the potential risks. “Nobody told me that we [Pakistanis] can transit through India. So when I booked this ticket, there was a slight bit of risk involved as well,” he noted.
His unexpected presence in Mumbai drew curiosity from airport officials, who expressed surprise upon seeing his Pakistani passport. “Not many Pakistani people do this, so it was a new experience for us as well,” Hassan recounted from his Instagram post. The video has since gone viral, sparking a range of reactions on social media. Some users celebrated the idea of greater connectivity between India and Pakistan, while others questioned the enjoyment of staying in an airport without the opportunity to explore the country.
Hassan’s experience highlights an interesting facet of cross-border travel in South Asia, where legal transit through India remains a viable option for Pakistani citizens, despite ongoing tensions and a generally challenging visa process for leisure tourism.