12th West Zone Shooting Championship: Shooters miss flight, allege security check delay by airline at Pune airport

Akasa Airlines, in a statement, said the shooters could not board the flight due to extended security procedures involving their baggage that contained specialised shooting equipment. The statement said the airline regrets the inconvenience caused and was providing necessary assistance and alternate travel arrangements.

Kaluthe’s grandfather Sham Mankar told The Indian Express, “The flight was scheduled to depart at 5:25 pm and we arrived at the airport at 2:30 to give enough time for the checking of the rifles and pistols. There are many documents to be checked as arms are being carried. However, the inexperienced staff of the airline took so much time for the security check that the shooters missed the flight. They did not know the rules and took forever to fill the forms.”

Mankar said another shooter Manva Kadam was able to board the flight but in a mix-up her rifle was not sent and remains at Pune airport. “Four of our luggage bags were also sent on the flight that we were not able to board. We are now looking at an IndiGo flight early in the morning but it does not have enough seats,” he said.

Akasa Airline’s statement stated: “A team of professional rifle shooters booked on Akasa Air flight QP 1143 scheduled to operate from Pune to Goa on 16th September 2025 were regrettably unable to board due to extended security procedures involving their baggage that contained specialised shooting equipment. Our on-ground teams are providing them all necessary assistance, and alternate travel arrangements are being organised for them to reach the competition in Goa. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused. At Akasa Air, passenger well-being is our topmost priority, and we continue to work towards ensuring that necessary protocols coexist seamlessly with a smooth and reliable travel experience.”

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