Airport baggage issues delay exit of flyers

Baggage-related issues are delaying passengers from exiting the arrival hall of the new integrated terminal building at the Jayprakash Narayan International (JPNI) airport here that became operational on June 3, said officials, who dismissed them as "teething problems".

- Ruchir Kumar

PATNA:

Passengers have alleged that they have had to wait for up to 40 minutes, especially during busy hours, when a bunch of flights land. Such a scenario happens at least three times a day between 10.20am and 11.20am; 1.10pm and 2.20pm and 9pm and 10pm, when five flights are scheduled to arrive within a time slot of one hour at the Patna airport, which presently caters to 48 inbound flights in a day.

Passengers also alleged last-minute change of conveyor belt, adding to their confusion in collecting one's registered baggage.

"Things are a little mismanaged, as we were informed that we will get the luggage on belt number 3, but found my baggage on belt number 2," said Aman Kamalia, who reached Patna at 10.50pm by an IndiGo (6E 6120) flight from Bengaluru on June 6.

Kumud Kumar Jha, who arrived by an IndiGo flight (6E 6451) from Bengaluru said he had to wait for his baggage for around 45 minutes after the arrival of his flight at 7.25pm on Saturday.