Pune Passengers Endure Extensive Delays Deboardings on Delhi and Kolkata Flights
Pune Airport witnessed significant disruptions to flight schedules on Sunday and Monday, testing the patience of hundreds of passengers bound for Delhi and Kolkata. A SpiceJet flight (SG-914) to Delhi, initially scheduled for Sunday noon, eventually departed nine hours late due to a technical issue. Separately, an Akasa Air flight (QP-1563) to Kolkata on Monday afternoon faced a three-and-a-half-hour delay and a deboarding incident stemming from a nauseating cabin odor.
Over 100 passengers on the Pune-Delhi SpiceJet flight experienced prolonged uncertainty. After boarding around 5:15 PM and taxiing, the aircraft returned to the bay and remained at a standstill for over an hour. Passengers reported a lack of clear information from the cabin crew during this period. They were subsequently deboarded after 7:30 PM, undergoing another security check before reboarding and finally taking off at 9:20 PM. A SpiceJet spokesperson confirmed a technical issue, stating passengers were deplaned after an hour and served refreshments.
On Monday, approximately 200 flyers on the Akasa Air Pune-Kolkata flight were deboarded due to a foul smell detected in the cabin shortly after boarding. The flight, scheduled for 1:05 PM, saw boarding commence at 2:20 PM, only for passengers to be deboarded by 2:40 PM following protests over the odor. An Akasa Air spokesperson confirmed the unpleasant odor, adding that the cabin and cargo hold underwent thorough cleaning before the flight departed at 4:32 PM, with crew assisting passengers throughout the delay.
Such incidents underscore the challenges in maintaining seamless air travel operations and highlight the need for enhanced communication from airlines during disruptions. Passenger convenience and safety remain paramount in urban air travel, necessitating swift resolution of technical and comfort issues. Airlines must prioritize clear updates.
