Date:03/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/08/03/stories/2005080301170700.htm

Back Airlines told to restore normal service to Mumbai

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Aug. 2

WITH the situation returning to normal at the Mumbai airport, the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, on Tuesday withdrew the earlier advisory asking airlines to curtail flights to the city.

"All the advisories have been withdrawn and the airline have been asked to operate the normal quota of flights," he said.

The domestic airlines had earlier been asked to curtail the number of flights that they operate to Mumbai in view of the situation not only at the airport but also in the city.

The airport in Mumbai is one of the busiest in the country and handles about 500 flights in a 24-hour cycle. However, the inclement weather conditions in the city saw the airport handle just 225 flights till 6 p.m. on Monday.

Indian Airlines and Jet Airways alone operate more than 20 flights a day between Delhi and Mumbai during normal times. However, all airlines were forced to reduce flights due to weather conditions and drop in passenger demand.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Kingfisher Airlines, Mr Vijay Mallya, said the airline would continue to curtail its normal services to Mumbai.