Question : Closure of Airports due to Rain

(a) whether some airports/runway have been closed down in the various parts of the country due to heavy rains in the current season and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(b) the details of the domestic and international flights cancelled/diverted along with the losses suffered by the each airline due to cancellation and diversion of flights;

(c) the total number of passengers who were severely affected by cancellation of these flights;

(d) whether any alternative arrangements were made for these passengers so that they can travel to their desired destination and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to construct/convert existing airports into all weather airports for smooth flow of air traffic?

The Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

(a): No, Sir. No airports/runway have been closed down in the country due to heavy rains in current season. However, flight operations at airports get impacted sometimes due to bad weather/heavy rain.;
(b) & (c) Indigo, GoAir, Spice Jet and Air India have informed that during the current season 330 flights have been cancelled/diverted by them across the country due to bad weather/heavy rain. Further, Indigo and GoAir have reported that 1,22,467 passenger were severely affected by cancellation of their flights. The figures of losses suffered by the airlines in the current season depend upon several factors and such losses are not reported by the airlines to the Government.;

(d): Alternate arrangements were made by respective airlines by accommodating/re-routing passengers in the next available flights and refunds were provided to passengers who opted for the same.

(e): Airports Authority of India (AAI) upgrades its airports for all weather operations based on the demand and traffic potential as well as geographical feasibility keeping utmost priority with the safety regulations of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and DGCA.
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