Bad weather delays flights, two diverted

On Friday, at about 5:09 pm, a Jet Airways flight (9W 218) from Kolkata was on its final approach to land at the Mumbai airport when the pilot aborted landing and did a go-around because of unstabilised approach owing to bad weather.

On Friday, at about 5:09 pm, a Jet Airways flight (9W 218) from Kolkata was on its final approach to land at the Mumbai airport when the pilot aborted landing and did a go-around because of unstabilised approach owing to bad weather.

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Soon, the air traffic control (ATC) suspended operations at 5:22 pm for 12 minutes. For the third time this week, rain clouds and strong winds made travel turbulent for people flying into Mumbai.

Heavy downpour coupled with gusty tailwinds disrupted operations and slowed flights by two hours on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Jet Airways flight continued to circle above the Mumbai airport before the ATC finally diverted it to Ahmedabad airport at 5:49 pm. About 30 minutes later, a Kingfisher Airlines flight (IT 336) from Delhi was also diverted to the neighbouring airport.

A Mumbai International Airport Limited spokesperson confirmed the incident. Earlier in the day the airport operator cancelled routine repair work on the main runway because the tailwinds blowing at 12 knots did not allow secondary runway operations.

Fluctuating visibility throughout the day worsened the situation.