Date:02/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/02/stories/2005080218840400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Several city-Mumbai flights withdrawn

Staff Reporter

Bangalore airport does not see much activity

BANGALORE: Bangalore airport on Monday did not see the usual rush as the situation in Mumbai remained the same and 30 per cent of the flight services were withdrawn based on a Ministry of Aviation instruction.

According to Jet Airways, passengers sought to cancel their reservations and not many turned up to board flights.

The news ticker service about the weather in Mumbai discouraged a large number of passengers from flying to Mumbai.

This was also in the wake of the warning issued by the Police Commissioner of Mumbai who had cautioned against travelling to Mumbai unless in case of an emergency.

According to Sahara Airlines, six flights were cancelled. The "runway visibility range" was fluctuating.

From 9.30 a.m. to 1.45 p.m., flights from Mumbai landed in the city as the visibility there had improved.

After 6 p.m. the situation deteriorated with visibility less than 500 m and most of the aircraft were diverted to Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.

However, all Sahara Airlines flights landed and took off in Mumbai barring two ATR flights. But they were delayed. The passenger strength was full, the airlines said.