AirAsia Flight Takes Off Without Karnataka Governor On Board, Complaint Lodged: Report

A complaint was lodged by the protocol officers of the Governor at the Airport police station after a flight took off from the Kempegowda International Airport without taking him on board.

In an alleged violation of protocol, an AirAsia flight took off from the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Thursday without taking Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on board, news agency PTI reported citing sources. He was waiting at the airport lounge. A complaint was lodged by the protocol officers of the Governor at the Airport police station, a police officer told PTI.

Gehlot was supposed to fly to Hyderabad on Thursday afternoon from Terminal-2 from where he was to visit Raichur by road to attend a convocation, PTI reported citing sources. According to the news agency, Gehlot’s luggage was loaded as soon as the flight had arrived but their was said to be a delay in him reaching the terminal. By the time he could reach from the VIP lounge to take the flight, the plane took off for Hyderabad, the news agency reported.

Gehlot Was Not Late In Reaching The Terminal 

The Governor was not late and there was still five minutes for the take-off but he was not allowed to board the flight by the staff, The Indian Express reported citing sources. Gehlot was scheduled to catch the 2.05 pm AirAsia flight I5-972 from Bengaluru to Hyderabad. According to The Indian Express, the Governor reached the airport’s VIP lounge at 1.50 pm and spent a small amount of time in the restroom before being escorted to the aircraft.

He was not allowed to board the aircraft by the airline staff, citing the closure of the flight door, sources familiar with the incident said. “The Governor was not late and there was still five minutes for the take-off. The ATC and the flight attendants could have permitted the Governor to enter the flight. It is a violation of protocol. A letter has been written seeking legal action. This is the first time a Governor has not been allowed to board a flight after being on time,” The Indian Express quoted the sources as saying.

Gehlot Took Another Flight To Reach Hyderabad

The Governor had to take another flight after 90 minutes to reach Hyderabad, PTI reported citing sources. So far the AirAsia officials have not issued any statement pertaining to the incident. An official of the Bangalore International Airport Limited, which operates KIA, said, "We usually do not comment on airline related matters. Please check with AirAsia," as quoted by PTI.