Pune: Over 100 passengers travelling to Lucknow and Delhi on an Air India Express flight endured a frustrating delay of more than 14 hours on Wednesday.The flight (IX-1618), originally scheduled to depart at 4.30pm, was repeatedly rescheduled throughout the evening without clear communication from the airline, passengers said. It finally departed for Lucknow around 7am on Thursday.An airline spokesperson attributed the disruption to multiple factors. “Due to a delay in the incoming aircraft, followed by crew duty time limitations, one of our Pune-Delhi flights was rescheduled and operated with a delay. Passengers were provided refreshments, hotel accommodation, and the option to reschedule or cancel with a full refund. We regret the inconvenience caused,” the spokesperson said.Baner resident Amit Kumar (name changed)’s 63-year-old mother had to travel for a family emergency, but eventually couldn’t. He said they reached Pune airport around 2pm and checked with the airline counter before entering. “Airline staff told me the flight had been rescheduled to 8pm. There had been no prior message or call. As it was an emergency, I had spent Rs 23,000 for the ticket,” he said.Around 3pm, Kumar received a WhatsApp message from the airline stating that the flight would instead depart at 5.15pm. Trusting this update, his mother proceeded to check-in. However, at 4pm, another message said the flight was delayed to 8pm. By then, tensions had begun rising inside the airport.“My mother told me passengers were getting angry and arguments had started with ground staff. Still, she decided to wait because her trip was urgent,” Kumar said.The uncertainty continued, with yet another update delaying departure to 8.25pm. Each message cited “operational reasons” without further explanation.Around 9.45pm, the airline announced that the flight would depart at 7am the next day. “We were stunned. I immediately rushed back to the airport,” Kumar said. Reaching around 11.40pm, he asked his mother to collect her baggage and return home rather than wait overnight.Kumar later applied for a full refund, which the airline has said will be processed within two to three working days. He added that many passengers were seen arguing with airline staff at the counters, and they were unable to provide clear answers for the repeated delays.
