The Hindu : New Delhi News : Rain, storm throw flight schedules out of gear

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Thursday, May 15, 2008
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Rain, storm throw flight schedules out of gear

Staff Reporter

Nine diversions to different destinations had to be effected

NEW DELHI: Several flights were delayed or diverted as unexpected rain accompanied by strong winds lashed the Capital for over an hour on Wednesday morning throwing flight schedules out of gear at Delhi airport.

As many as nine diversions to different destinations like Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Nagpur and Jaipur had to be effected and there were also incidents of step ladders falling in the apron area because of blustery winds. However, since no passenger was using the ladders, no one was injured.

Poor visibility

Flights were delayed as visibility plummeted in the wake of the dust storm.

“As visibility was poor, aircraft took more time to land than usual. Resultantly other aircraft were asked to hover above the airport as they did not get Air Traffic Control clearance to land owing to the weather conditions,” airport sources said.

“The winds were blowing at a very high speed. On Wednesday morning because of the thunderstorm, a wind shear (a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere) had developed that has a significant effect during take-off and landing of aircraft,” sources added.

Most airlines said they did not cancel any flights, though there were ample diversions.

Nine flights were diverted between 9-55 a.m. and 10-27 a.m. due to the windy conditions.

Jet Airways suspended operations for 30 minutes between 10-15 a.m. and 10-45 a.m.

“Though there were no cancellations, there was an half-hour dislocation in flight schedules because of the stormy weather,” a Jet Airways official said.

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