AIX Connect (formerly Air Asia) flight I5611 from Pune to Bengaluru was delayed by over nine hours, causing significant inconvenience to about 150 passengers. The flight, originally scheduled for 5.30am, finally departed at 3pm, almost ten hours past the intended departure time. While there was no prior information about the delay, some flyers learned that the flight would take off at 6.30am. However, they were later informed that the departure time was delayed until 9.30am, causing frustration and leading some passengers to protest. One flyer turned violent and was taken away by CISF personnel, although he was later allowed to board the aircraft.
According to FlightAware, the same aircraft was supposed to fly from Bengaluru to Chennai, and then from Chennai to Hyderabad, albeit with a different plane. Like many others on the Pune-Bengaluru flight, I reached the Lohegaon airport by 2am, said Pushpak Singh, a flyer on the delayed flight. When we asked the ground staffers around 9.30am why prior information was not given about the flight’s delay, we were offered refreshments. An email was also sent stating that the flight had been delayed until 9.30am. This angered the flyers more as the ground staffers had said the flight would take off only at noon.
The airline explained that the delay was caused by a technical issue, and guests were offered a full refund or free rescheduling options. AIX Connect regrets the delay and disruption to travel plans, the statement read. However, passengers complained that the airline did not provide proper information and refreshments despite waiting at the airport for hours. Boarding finally started at 2.40pm, and the flight took off at 3pm, causing significant frustration and travel disruption for passengers.
