- Chef Vikas Khanna highlighted poor carpet conditions at Mumbai airport's international terminal.
- Mumbai airport acknowledged the issue and promised prompt cleaning and corrective measures.
- By late January, Khanna noted carpet removal and thanked authorities for addressing the health concern.
In the first week of January 2026, Chef Vikas Khanna shared an Instagram post after landing at Mumbai airport that made headlines. He flagged the unsatisfactory condition of carpets at the international terminal. Tagging the official handle of the airport (CSMIA), he wrote, "Though I love & respect the efficiency of Mumbai airport a lot. But having this carpet is absolutely unnecessary & unacceptable. It is beyond cleaning now. On behalf of every asthmatic & people with bronchitis issues, I request the authorities to please look into removing this at the airports. It can lead to serious breathing issues and [can] also [be] fatal." When he returned to the airport on January 29-30, he found that action had been taken to address the same, and he thanked the airport authorities for their efforts. Read more below:
Mumbai Airport's Response To Chef Vikas Khanna's First Post
Chef Vikas Khanna's post from a few weeks ago had received a lot of interest online. Several people agreed with his words online. Many Instagram users thanked him for bringing attention to an issue they felt was important but ignored. Mumbai airport took note of his post and responded in the comments section, stating, "Dear Mr Khanna, thank you for your kind words regarding the efficiency of the airport. We are truly humbled by your appreciation. At the same time, we have taken careful note of your concern regarding the condition of the carpet. Please be assured that this has been shared with the relevant teams, and appropriate corrective measures, including thorough cleaning and necessary action, will be undertaken on priority, keeping passenger health and comfort in mind. Team CSMIA."
Chef Vikas Khanna's Follow-Up Post
In a follow-up post shared around midnight on January 29-30, 2026, Chef Vikas Khanna revealed that he had "suffered a severe asthma attack" when he had first landed in Mumbai earlier this month. "I reached for my inhaler, trying to steady myself. Moments later, I noticed an elderly woman-she looked so much like my grandmother-struggling to pull her luggage, wheezing loudly. My heart stopped," he wrote. He blamed their problems on the carpets in the terminal, noting, "I spoke up then about the old, dust-laden carpets that had accumulated over the years, believing they were a major cause of what both of us were experiencing."
However, what he was glad to see this time was that the issue was being dealt with. He thanked Mumbai airport authorities, stating, "Today, flying back from Dubai, I noticed major sections of those carpets being replaced. I am deeply humbled and grateful." The chef shared a video of the floors now visible after the removal of the carpet. Take a look at the complete post below:
The comments section was filled with positive remarks of relief and gratitude.
One user stated, "This is a perfect example of using celebrity power for something good."
Another added, "Thank you to you, too chef for bringing this into notice of the authorities."
A third explained, "Amazing! Thanks to you, your voice has reached, we have been suffering upon arrival due to these carpets, actually. I never spoke since I thoughts its only me as I have a severe dust allergy."
"Wow! Can't wait for my next trip... finally the ugly carpet is gone," wrote a traveller.
Another person commented, "Thanks, Vikas, for helping resolve our problem for many. Love and respect to you. Thank you, Mumbai Airport, for taking action immediately."
In his post, Chef Vikas Khanna also said he would create something special as a "gesture of gratitude and remembrance" when he returned to his restaurant in New York.
