Heavy rain forecast keeps passengers away, 8 flights cancelled in Chennai airport

CHENNAI: As citizens put their travel plans on hold following a red alert warning from the meteorological department, at least eight flights were cancelled at Chennai airport on Thursday.

Due to heavy rains, passenger footfall at Chennai airport has been lower than usual over the past three days. However, as Chennai did not receive rains from the second half of Wednesday, the red alert issued to the city was cancelled. But most of the passengers had already changed their travel plans and cancelled their tickets, considering the risk of travelling during bad weather.

Flights which were scheduled to depart on Thursday from Chennai to Madurai, Trichy, Delhi and Port Blair were cancelled due to inadequate bookings. Flights that were supposed to arrive from those cities were also cancelled.

The incoming flights that were cancelled include:

1. An Indigo flight from Madurai to Chennai that was scheduled for 9.10 am

2. An Indigo flight from Andaman to Chennai at 9.30 am

3. An IndiGo flight from Trichy to Chennai at 12.10 pm

4. An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai at 1:25 pm

The departing flights that were cancelled include:

1. An Indigo flight from Chennai to Andaman that was scheduled for 4.40 am

2. An IndiGo flights from Chennai to Madurai at 5.50 am

3. An IndiGo flight from Chennai to Tiruchy at 9.40 am

4. An IndiGo flight from Chennai to Delhi at 2.15 pm

Airport authorities stated that passengers who had booked seats on the affected flights were later put on other flights to their respective destinations.

Except for the eight cancelled flights, all other fights were operating as per schedule. Footfall is expected to be back to normal from Friday as people will resume travel, they added.

(With online desk inputs)