No-shows double at city airport
After being stuck on the Western Express Highway for more than two hours on Monday, Delhi-based businessman Mehul Rawat had no choice but to return to his Goregaon hotel, HT reports
After being stuck on the Western Express Highway for more than two hours on Monday, Delhi-based businessman Mehul Rawat had no choice but to return to his Goregaon hotel.
Rawat, 40, missed his flight to Delhi due to the massive traffic jam that followed the heavy rainfall in the city. “I spent Rs900 to re-schedule my air ticket and a few thousands more on the night stay at the hotel,” he said.
Worst affected were international passengers, who have to reach the airport at least three hours before the scheduled departure. “The airline agreed to accommodate us if we reach by 9pm for a 10.30-pm flight,” said Singapore-bound passenger Sandeep Shah, who was also stuck in traffic.
Airline sources said the number of no-shows (passengers failing to reach the airport on time) were high on Monday. “Normally we get four to five such cases but the number doubled on Monday evening,” said a terminal staff with a private airline, requesting anonymity.
A Mumbai International Airport Limited spokesperson said the air traffic control asked two Jet Airways flights from Bangalore and Kathmandu, and an Air India flight from Raipur to make a go-around (abort landing and take-off midair) owing to poor runway visibility. “The average delay for arrivals and departures was 20 minutes,” he said.