Obama's visit a boon for city fliers

US President Barack Obama's Mumbai visit is expected to provide a breather for fliers facing delays because of runway repairs. Soubhik Mitra reports.

US President Barack Obama's Mumbai visit is expected to provide a breather for fliers facing delays because of runway repairs.

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The airport operator had announced closure of the primary runway from November 1 to July 1, 2011, between 9 am and 5 pm. However, for three days starting November 5, when Obama lands in Mumbai, runway repairs will be put on hold.

"As per protocol for VVIP visits, we will stop issuing passes for construction workers into the airfield from November 5 to November 7. The main runway will be available for all flights on these days," said an MIAL spokesperson.

Air space is blocked for a maximum of half-an-hour for VVIP visits, but it is not expected to cause major disruptions to the flight schedules, said airport sources. They added Obama's convoy would comprise two Boeing 747s and a Boeing 767.