Kochi: Kerala Governor P Sathasivam was on Tuesday night not allowed to board an Air India flight here after he reported late.

As per reports, the pilot of the Air India flight AI048 did not allow the Governor to board the aircraft saying time for the passengers to be allowed in was over.

According to details available, the Governor was informed that the Air India flight coming in from Delhi was late and would depart for Thiruvananthapuram at 11:40 pm instead of the scheduled departure time.

When the Governor reached the Nedumbassery Airport at 11.28 pm, he was not allowed to board the flight.

"We got a communication from the airport that the flight will take off at 11.40 PM. However, when the Governor, accompanied by his wife reached the airport at 11.28 PM to board the flight, we saw the step ladder had been removed and the flight was pushing back," the sources told PTI.

The Governor was then given accommodation at the Ernakulam Guest House.

The Governor's office has lodged a complaint with Air India and the Union Aviation Ministry over the incident and demanded strict action against those responsible.

Airport authorities have, meanwhile, claimed that the flight had departed before the Governor reached reached the airport.