Pune: Six of the seven shooters gearing up to hit the bullseye missed their Akasa Air flight (QP-1143) to Goa on the eve of a competition on Tuesday evening because of protocols and the airline’s staffers’ flip-flop over how to send their ammunition, pistol and rifle.The shooter who successfully boarded the flight is also likely to miss out on the competition. His kit is still in Pune.Atul Kshirsagar, the father of Rudra Kshirsagar, one of the shooters, said his son and the others were slated to participate in the Western Zone Junior (U-18) Shooting Competition. “It is a pre-national event. Shooters are selected for the national shooting competition from there. All the contestants had reached the airport by 2.30pm for the flight with their luggage and ammunition,” he said.The flight was scheduled to leave Pune at 5.25pm.Kshirsagar said, “Family members were accompanying the shooters. Altogether, 12-13 people, including the seven shooters, were heading to Goa for the competition.”He said the confusion started during the luggage screening at a check-in counter. “A ground staffer said the ammunition must be carried in check-in baggage and not in the weapon case. After a while, the shooters were told that ammunition must be carried inside the weapon case as hand baggage.”Kshirsagar said, “The shooters showed the airline’s ground staffers all relevant documents. They were also made to fill several forms. But the staffers again retracted from their stand and said the ammunition should be carried in checked-in bags and not weapons case (bag). We said it wasn’t an issue and we could keep the ammunition in the checked-in bags. Then came the bolt from the blue. The ground staffers told us that the check-in counter had closed.“According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation guidelines, properly packed arms and ammunition have to be carried in registered check-in baggage. The station manager of the airline needs to verify all relevant documents, including identity cards and invitation for the competition. A spokesperson of Akasa Air told TOI, “A team of professional rifle shooters booked on Akasa Air flight QP 1143, scheduled to operate from Pune to Goa on September 16, were regrettably unable to board because of extended security procedures involving their baggage that contained specialised shooting equipment. Our on-ground teams are providing them all necessary assistance, and alternative travel arrangements are being organised for them. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused.”Kshirsagar said there was a glimmer of hope late in the night. “AkasaAir is trying to send the shooters to Goa in another airline’s early morning flight on Wednesday.”
