In June, flight punctuality at Mumbai airport the poorest since February

With nearly three out of ten flights missing the schedule last month at the CSIA, airport officials said that air travellers could see chaotic waits during the monsoon.

Flight punctuality at the Mumbai airport in June was the poorest since February, according to data released by the airport operator on Friday.

While 23.5% flights were delayed between 9am and 3pm, it grew to 40% in the second half of the day. (Hindustan Times)

With nearly three out of ten flights missing the schedule last month, airport officials said that air travellers could see chaotic waits during the monsoon. “Despite fewer rainy days in June, flight delays were regular. Imagine the situation during heavy monsoon months of July and August,” said a senior air traffic controller (ATC), requesting anonymity.

While 23.5% flights were delayed between 9am and 3pm, it grew to 40% in the second half of the day. Almost 1 out of 2 departures between 3pm and 11 pm was delayed. The national carrier Air India saw the highest number of delays with 32.5% of its flights missing the schedule.

Filled to the brim, the city airport is unable to cope with even minor rain-induced flight disruptions. “There have been instances when a couple of flights aborted landing as the pilots were unable to see the runway in heavy rains. But small delays balloon into average waits of up to an hour by the end of day,” said another ATC official.

Month-wise percentage of flights delays at CSIA.

June: 28.5%

May: 24.5%

April: 24.5%

March: 26%

February: 25%