Akasa Air Flight Turns Into 7-Hour Ordeal for Goa-Bound Passengers
What was intended as a brief 50-minute journey from Mumbai to Goa transformed into an exhausting seven-hour nightmare for more than 100 travelers aboard Akasa Air flight QP 1301 on Sunday evening. The extended delay, which stretched late into the night, was attributed not to mechanical problems but to significant failures in crew scheduling and operational management.
Progressive Delays and Mounting Passenger Frustration
The flight, originally slated for a 6 pm departure from Mumbai's Terminal 1, was first postponed to 6:25 pm. However, at the check-in counter, passengers received the unwelcome news of a further delay pushing the takeoff to 8 pm. Nirmala Sequeira, a senior citizen from Panaji, recounted to sources that around 8:30 pm, the airline's ground staff distributed snack boxes and water bottles, only to announce another setback—the flight was now delayed until 9 pm because the first officer had reached his flight duty time limitations (FDTL).
"The flight was delayed several times, and even after the final announced timing of 8 pm, we remained seated due to some operational issue with the crew. No complimentary food was provided," stated another passenger, Bharat Morpana, highlighting the growing discontent among travelers.
Chaos Escalates as Crew Hours Expire
Boarding finally commenced at 9 pm, but the aircraft only taxied to the runway an hour later, at 10 pm, before unexpectedly returning to the terminal. This move sparked unrest among the weary passengers. "There were people with young children waiting. Everyone was hungry and tired. Many passengers at the back turned unruly," Sequeira explained.
The situation deteriorated further when the pilot-in-command also exceeded his permitted flying hours. The aerobridge was reconnected to allow the captain to disembark, but by the time a replacement pilot-in-command arrived around 11:30 pm, the cabin crew had crossed their duty hours as well, compounding the logistical chaos.
Late-Night Departure and Airline Response
After a series of frantic crew arrangements, flight QP 1301 eventually took off at 12:30 am, landing at Manohar International Airport in Mopa, Goa, at 1:30 am—a full seven hours behind schedule. In a statement, an Akasa Air spokesperson acknowledged the incident: "Akasa Air flight QP1301 operating from Mumbai to Goa on Feb 8 faced progressive delays, which ultimately rendered the assigned crew unable to continue the Mumbai-Goa-Mumbai sector. On arrangement of fresh crew, the flight departed Mumbai at 23:55 hours. During the delay, all passengers were provided with refreshments and assistance."
This episode underscores critical issues in airline crew management and highlights the severe inconvenience faced by passengers, including families with children and elderly individuals, due to operational oversights. The incident raises questions about adherence to flight duty regulations and the adequacy of contingency planning in the aviation industry.
