Flights Cancelled, Hundreds Stranded At Mumbai Airport As Cyclone Biparjoy Hits Operations
Mumbai airport witnessed scenes of anxiety and chaos as hundreds of passengers waited for their flights for hours. Several flights were cancelled or delayed owing to the weather conditions, while some were forced to abort the landing.
Several flights were delayed at the Mumbai airport after the temporary closure of the main runway due to ¡°inclement weather¡±, forcing passengers to wait for hours on Sunday night.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: High tidal waves witnessed in Mumbai as cyclone #Biparjoy intensified into a severe cyclonic storm.
¡ª ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2023
(visuals from Gateway of India) pic.twitter.com/UrnR0sahtE
Heavy rain and gusty winds pounded Mumbai as the intensity of cyclone Biparjoy, which has intensified into "extremely severe cyclonic storm", increased. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the cyclone is expected to make landfall on the western coastline on June 15.
Mumbai airport witnessed scenes of anxiety and chaos as hundreds of passengers waited for their flights for hours. Several flights were cancelled or delayed owing to the weather conditions, while some were forced to abort the landing.
Furious passengers took to Twitter to complain
Some passengers took to Twitter to complain about the inconvenience.
@JM_Scindia sir we are waiting more than 5 hours at Mumbai airport flight time was 11 pm but now due to unavailability of captain/pilot they are saying 4.40 am
¡ª DURGESH TIWARI (@tiwaridurgesh89) June 11, 2023
Si this relavant they are not providing acomadation too. @DGCAIndia @IndiGo6E pic.twitter.com/KqlwVHQ78N
Utter chaos @AkasaAir at Mumbai Airport. Flight to Bangalore is twice delayed and gate changed FIVE times. Making people look jokers and run around the airport with luggage! Beyond ridiculous! Such shame! 8.15 new take off time and boarding yet to begin! Ppl furious now! pic.twitter.com/C4KolqJPRo
¡ª Boris D'Souza (@boris_dsouza) June 11, 2023
Another user shared a video in which a woman is purportedly seen arguing with IndiGo Airlines staff at the Mumbai airport.
Heated argument between a lady passenger & @IndiGo6E staff in Mumbai airport. Del-Bom 2103 Indigo flight delayed by over 1 hr 40 mins. Lady's father-in-law in ICU. #indigo pic.twitter.com/eklkzLmmUt
¡ª Dev Kachari (@KachariDev) June 11, 2023
Air India's statement
Following the complaints, Air India put out a statement saying some of its flights running from Mumbai will be delayed due closure of runway 09/27 because of inclement weather.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
¡ª Air India (@airindia) June 11, 2023
Inclement weather conditions and the temporary closure of Runway 09/27 at the Mumbai airport, in addition to other consequential factors beyond our control have resulted in delays and cancellation of some of our flights. We regret the inconvenience caused¡
"Inclement weather conditions and the temporary closure of Runway 09/27 at the Mumbai airport, in addition to other consequential factors beyond our control have resulted in delays and cancellation of some of our flights. We regret the inconvenience caused to our guests, as we make all effort to minimise the disruptionsm" Air India tweeted.
IndiGo's statement
India's biggest airline IndiGo also announced some changes in its scheduled flights. "The agony as flight delays are equally troublesome for us. It is only under extremely uncontrollable situations we're compelled to make such changes in the schedule. We look forward to your kind understanding," Indigo tweeted responding to a passenger.
Sir, we can surely understand the agony as flight delays are equally troublesome for us. It is only under extremely uncontrollable situations we're compelled to make such changes in the schedule. We look forward to your kind understanding. ~Kiran
¡ª IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) June 12, 2023
Mumbai's weather
Several parts of Mumbai and Maharashtra received rains on Sunday night. Mumbai city as well as coastal parts of the state also witnessed strong winds as the intensity of cyclone Biparjoy increased bringing rains to the western parts of the state. Strong winds also affected the air quality and visibility due to dust particles. Some trees fell in parts of Mumbai due to gusty winds.
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