Five-hour delay of Kolkata flight frustrates flyers

PUNE: Close to 100 Kolkata-bound flyers were stranded at the city airport for over five hours after their SpiceJet flight got delayed.

The flight (SG 275), started by the airline little over a month ago, was supposed to take off from Pune at 11.40am. It finally flew to Kolkata at 4:49pm.
Sources at the airlines claimed that an operational issue caused the flight delay.“The incoming aircraft from Kolkata to Pune got delayed for some operational reasons, resulting in the disruption. The airline provided all assistance, including refreshments, to the travellers. A rotational issue resulted in the problem,” a source told TOI.
In reply to a tweet to the airline on the reason for the delay, it said, “We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused. The flight was delayed due to operational reasons.”
Many passengers were frustrated over the flight delay on the polling day in the city. “I left home at 7am considering that there were elections in the city. Since I am travelling alone, I first went to my polling booth and voted. Then I headed straight to the airport. I checked in around 10am. For a long time, no one provided with any answers. Finally, it has been learnt that it will take off after 4.40pm. This is pathetic service,” a professor said.
His colleague echoed him. “Technically, I am out of my house since 6.30am and spent more than eight hours just like that after voting. The airport operators have not given any rights to the flyers, but the airlines can ban a passenger from flying whenever they want to,” the other professor said.
Sanjay, on his way to Kolkata to meet a friend, was also frustrated. “My friend lives in Howrah and his engagement is at 7pm today (Tuesday). I would have reached Kolkata by 2.20pm and it would have taken me hardly an hour to reach his place. Now, I shall reach Kolkata only by 7pm and reach his place around 10pm, considering the evening traffic chaos there,” he said.