Indian Airlines Surat-Delhi flight grounded till May 6

Come May 1, close to 50 passengers who had booked themselves for Delhi-bound Indian Airlines flight from Surat would board a bus instead from Surat airport to Vadodara airport from where they will board a flight to Delhi. For, the much-awaited A-319 jet to Delhi that was supposed to embark from Surat remains grounded until May 6. Reason? Airport authorities have cited operational and flight safety issues Airport Authority of India is facing at Surat airport. For flight numbers IC-417 between Delhi and Surat, and flight IC-418 from Surat back to Delhi, close to a 100 passengers now face the inconvenience of a delayed flight. According to officials from the Indian Airlines’ Mumbai corporate office, the airline is going to "make surface transport arrangements for passengers from Surat to Vadodara airport". "I have received word from my superiors in Delhi that the inaugural flight has been postponed till May 6.

However, on April 29 an empty airbus will embark from Delhi and land at Surat airport during 12 in the afternoon when the radar and landing systems will be officially tested," said Surat airport in-charge. "The delay occurred due to some operational shortcomings on the airport’s part. We had no problems in carrying out the flight as we had already kept the aircrafts ready and have made bookings for the same," said an Indian Airlines official. “Regular flight services from Surat are expected to resume from May 6 when the airport receives operational and flight safety certifications," he said.

So far work on passenger amenities at Surat airport is underway while the runway lighting systems to enable night landing at airport are also being worked on. Airport officials claimed that work on the radar and landing systems have been completed. Runway testing vehicles and the fire station are also complete. Meanwhile reacting to delay Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries Chairman Pravin Nanavati said, "Our members have made bookings for flight to Delhi and haven’t been informed about alternate arrangements. If the flight is delayed lot of our business meets will have to be rescheduled."

Courtesy: Indian Express

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