Johannesburg – Major airlines, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, have issued urgent travel advisories for passengers flying from Mumbai today. The advisories come as heavy rainfall batters the financial capital, severely impacting flight operations.
Travel Disruption in Mumbai
IndiGo is urging passengers to factor in significant travel time to the airport, citing widespread traffic congestion across the city. SpiceJet warns of potential delays to both departures and arrivals due to airport congestion. They advise passengers to monitor their flight status on the SpiceJet website.
Akasa Air has echoed the call for passengers to depart for the airport well in advance, given the torrential downpours.
The Mumbai Airport (CSMIA) is also advising passengers to check their flight status directly with their respective airlines and to allow for extra travel time to reach the airport.
Air India Incident
An Air India Airbus A320, arriving from Kochi, experienced a minor runway excursion upon landing at CSMIA amidst the heavy rainfall. Thankfully, all passengers were safely deboarded without any injuries. Initial reports indicate the pilot managed to recover and safely dock the aircraft.
Runway Damage and Contingency Measures
Mumbai Airport has confirmed the runway excursion occurred at 09:27 hours. Minor damage has been reported to the primary runway (Runway 09/27). The airport has activated the secondary runway (Runway 14/32) to maintain operational continuity.
Heavy Rainfall and Waterlogging
Mumbai experienced intense rainfall overnight, leading to waterlogging in various areas and causing traffic slowdowns. This follows a period of reduced rainfall earlier in the month. While the intensity of the rain has decreased slightly this morning, many eastern and eastern suburban areas continue to experience wet conditions. Stay safe and check with your airline before heading to the airport!