Pune: Frequent delays in baggage delivery during late evening hours at Pune Airport have left passengers increasingly frustrated, particularly those flying with a major budget airline. Numerous flyers have reported waiting for more than an hour to collect their luggage after landing, resulting in a growing number of complaints both online and at the airport.
Addressing the issue, the airport director clarified on Monday that the delays were not due to any shortcomings in airport infrastructure. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official noted that the newly operational terminal features five extended baggage belts—an upgrade from the shorter belts in the older terminal. The official emphasized that once an aircraft lands, it is the airline’s responsibility to ensure prompt baggage handling and that proper staffing is critical to meeting service benchmarks.
Citing international aviation standards, the official added that baggage should begin arriving within 10 minutes of landing, with all bags delivered within 30 minutes. Any delays beyond that are the responsibility of the airline, not the airport.
Recent complaints have underscored the issue. One passenger on a Coimbatore-Pune flight reported a wait of over 90 minutes for their baggage. Similarly, travelers on a Jaipur flight experienced nearly an hour-long delay, while another flyer arriving from Delhi recounted receiving luggage well past 1 a.m., despite an on-time landing before midnight.
Although the airline in question has not yet issued an official statement, internal sources suggested that limitations in airport infrastructure were contributing to the delays. However, both frequent flyers and airport officials have pointed out that better coordination and increased manpower from the airline, particularly during peak night hours, are essential to resolving the issue.
Passengers are now urging both the airport authorities and airline operators to work together to prevent such incidents in the future and improve overall passenger experience.
