Picture Credit: Twitter
India men’s hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has called out domestic airlines IndiGo on Friday for charging him extra for his “goalkeeper luggage”. As per reports, Sreejesh was boarding the IndiGo aircraft 6E 382 from Bengaluru to Kochi, when the airline’s ground staff at Kempegowda International Airport asked him to pay extra charges for the hockey stick which was part of his goalkeeper kit.
The flight officials claimed that Sreejesh was only permitted to carry a hockey stick of below 38 inches and the one he had was three inches long and as a result, he was liable to pay the extra charge. Sreejesh paid the asked amount and then took Twitter to express his displeasure.
The veteran goalkeeper tweeted that the FIH (Fédération Internationale de Hockey) allowed him to carry a 41-inch hockey but the IndiGo airlines always charged him extra for carrying anything over 38 inches. Allegedly, Sreejesh had to pay an extra amount of INR 1,500 for carrying his goalkeeper kit.
The 34-year-old’s tweet said, “FIH allow me to play with a 41inch hockey stick, but @IndiGo6E never allow me to carry anything over 38inch. What to do? Pay extra Rs,1500 for handling the goalkeeper baggage. #loot.”
But hours after PR Sreejesh’s complaint, IndiGo airlines replied to the tweet and shared a picture of the ground with the keeper as they apologised for the mistake. Their statement talked about the regret for the inconvenience caused by their actions and that they are proud of his sporting achievements.
IndiGo airlines' tweet said, “Thank you for meeting with us. We regret the inconvenience caused and hope we were able to make you understand the situation. We are extremely proud of your sporting achievements and look forward to welcoming you onboard again soon. ~Team IndiGo.”