Fliers protest at Dabolim after flight late by 4 hours

Panaji: Delhi-bound GoFirst flight G828 was delayed by over four hours on Saturday, prompting irate passengers to protest at the Goa International Airport, Dabolim. The furious fliers claimed that the airline’s ground crew was arrogant and refused to provide clear reasons for the multiple delays.
Passengers demanded to be compensated as they had missed their connecting flights and train journeys.
“The ground crew refused to entertain any queries and kept raising their voice. They kept saying technical reasons and rescheduled the flight from 5.25pm to 7.20pm and then to 9.50pm,” said passenger Sachin Sakhalkar.
Sakhalkar was on his way to Delhi and then Pathankhot with his family for a summer holiday.
“We missed our train from Delhi to Pathankhot. Now we have lost our connecting train and the money for the confirmed ticket. Who is going to compensate us? Nobody is ready to listen to us,” said Sakhalkar.
The private airline is struggling to ensure that adequate aircraft are available for operations. “Dear Go First Flyer! G8-285 GOI-DEL is rescheduled and will now depart between 21.15 pm and 23.45pm due to operational reasons. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused,” the airline informed passengers.
Two weeks earlier, a similar incident occurred at Dabolim after the low-cost airline cancelled flights, leaving passengers in the lurch.
The airline did provide refreshments to the disgruntled passengers. Boarding finally began around 8.40pm, but some passengers refused to board the flight until they were compensated.
The ground crew asked the protesting passengers to either cancel their tickets and seek a refund or to board the aircraft for the flight to Delhi. Hearing the protests, CISF personnel and airport officials intervened and tried to soothe the ruffled feathers.