Akasa Air’s Kolkata-Pune flight cancelled last minute, passengers take to social media with complaints

Flight number QP 1562, scheduled to fly out of Kolkata at 9.30 am and arrive in Pune at 12.15 pm, was cancelled due to "operational reasons", according to Akasa Air.

Flight number QP 5162, scheduled to fly out of Kolkata at 9.30 am and arrive in Pune at 12.15 pm, was cancelled due to operational and weather-related issues. (File Image)

An Akasa Air flight expected to depart from Kolkata to Pune on Sunday was cancelled at the last minute, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded, some of whom posted their complaints online, including videos of clashes with airline staff.

Flight number QP 1562, scheduled to fly out of Kolkata at 9.30 am and arrive in Pune at 12.15 pm, was cancelled due to “operational” issues and “bad weather”, the airline said. Passengers had already cleared security checks and received their boarding passes when the cancellation was announced, sources mentioned.

The situation escalated when heated verbal arguments broke out between ground staff and passengers, many of whom took to social media to voice their frustrations and demand a full refund.

Arindam Chakraborty posted a video on X, stating, “@AkasaAir @DGCAIndia my entire team stuck at Kolkata airport, Akasa flight from Kolkata to Pune is cancelled rather diverted, clear violation of DGCA rules and luggage no clue @JM_Scindia.”

Another user expressed frustration over the lack of rescheduling services, sharing that someone they knew missed a crucial PhD interview due to the cancellation. The tweet read, “@AkasaAir cancelled CCU-PNQ flight QP-1562 @11:04am, 1.5 hours after SDT@9:35am, after issuing the boarding passes. No alternate flight was provided. A student missed her PhD interview due to this. Expecting apology and ₹20k (<4x flight price) comp as per @DGCAIndia regulations.”

In response to one of the complaints, Akasa Air’s social media team replied, “Hi Shubh, your flight QP 1562 from Kolkata to Pune is consequently delayed due to bad weather. We are working diligently to get you on your way as soon as possible.”

Speaking to The Indian Express, an Akasa Air spokesperson confirmed the cancellation and issued a statement: “Akasa Air flight QP1562 scheduled to operate from Kolkata to Pune on November 24, 2024 was cancelled due to operational reasons. Our on-ground teams as well as Akasa Care officers are promptly assisting passengers to minimise inconvenience. All affected passengers have the option to either opt for a full refund towards their existing booking or rebook an alternate available flight at no additional cost. At Akasa Air, passenger well-being and safety is our topmost priority, and we regret the inconvenience caused.”

Shubham Tigga

Shubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens. Expertise & Background Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. Academic Foundation He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories