More than two hundred passengers flying with Akasa Air from Pune faced a night of extreme frustration and inconvenience after their flights to Goa and Ahmedabad were delayed for several hours without adequate prior warning or clear communication.
Extended Delays Disrupt Passenger Plans
The ordeal began on Thursday evening. The flight to Goa, originally scheduled for a 6:00 PM departure and a 7:10 PM arrival, finally took off at 12:50 AM on Friday, landing in Goa around 1:20 AM. This resulted in a staggering delay of over six hours. Similarly, the Ahmedabad-bound flight, which was to depart at 11:05 PM on Thursday and land by 12:30 AM Friday, left Pune only around 4:00 AM on Friday, arriving in Ahmedabad near 5:00 AM after a delay of approximately five hours.
Passengers Left in the Dark, Cite Health and Safety Concerns
Passengers reported a complete lack of timely information from the airline. Leena Rawke, a resident of Bavdhan, stated she only discovered the delay upon reaching Pune airport around 4:30 PM. "There was no intimation from the airline," she said. The departure time was first pushed to 9:55 PM, then to 11:30 PM. After boarding, passengers were made to sit inside the aircraft for 45 minutes with no proper explanation, only being told they were "waiting for clearance."
Rawke, who is a diabetic, highlighted the serious impact of such mismanagement. "Not eating my meals on time or not eating the right meals can affect my health terribly. Why pay exorbitant money for such mismanagement? This is just unacceptable," she questioned. Another flyer on the Goa route lamented ruined plans for a family dinner, while a passenger headed to Ahmedabad emphasized that while delays can happen, the lack of proper updates and reasons fuels passenger frustration.
Airline's Response and Passenger Rights
When contacted, an Akasa Air spokesperson attributed the Goa flight delay to "operational reasons." The spokesperson claimed that airport teams kept passengers informed and provided refreshments to minimize inconvenience. However, passenger accounts starkly contradict this, pointing to a significant communication gap. Many flyers were already at the airport when they received text messages about the delay.
This incident underscores a recurring issue in Indian aviation where passengers are left without real-time, honest communication during disruptions. Experts argue that transparent updates about the cause and expected duration of delays are crucial. Proactive communication can help passengers manage their schedules, make alternative arrangements, and control frustration levels, which was evidently missing in this Pune airport episode.
