Airlines work to minimise Rday cancellation chaos
REDUCING IMPACT Carriers say will use bigger aircraft, waive cancellation charges
We have been asked to cancel seven departures and five arrivals. We are discussing the matter and will take the final call on Monday.
AIR INDIA SPOKESPERSON
NEWDELHI: Airlines are working hard to minimise the chaos expected with at least 100 flights a day likely to be cancelled between January 18 and Republic Day on January 26. Deploying bigger aircraft and waiving cancellation fees are among the measures airlines said they are considering.
With airspace over Delhi set to be closed from January 18 to January 26 between 10.35am and 12.15pm for rehearsals for the air flypast on Republic Day, airport sources said that airlines have been directed by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operated the Delhi airport, to cancel all the flights scheduled in the restriction period. Airlines, meanwhile, said that they are still bargaining with DIAL.
Previously, DIAL used to adjust the flights in other slots every year, but this year due to congestion, the airport operator has said they won’t be able to adjust extra flights.
Approximately 15,000 passengers are likely to be affected by the shutdown per day.
“We have been asked to cancel seven departures and five arrivals. We are discussing the matter and will take the final call on Monday,” said an Air India spokesperson. The national carrier has bigger aircraft and is planning to deploy them and club flights together to adjust passengers.
“Delhi handles about 70 flights an hour across airlines, and our flights will be proportionately impacted. We are offering free change or cancellation with full refund for flights scheduled to depart or arrive in Delhi between 10.15am and 12.15pm, for the period January 18 to 26,” said a Vistara spokesperson.
International flights are allowed to reschedule. On an average, Delhi airport handled 1,350 flights every day in 2017, around 150 more per day than the previous year.
“The matter is currently under review. The airline will update guests once the plans are finalised and an appropriate decision is taken,” said Jet Airways spokesperson.
Since most of the domestic airlines operate multiple flights to metro cities, they will adjust the passengers in other flights, but if there are no seats available, passengers will have no option but to wait or buy ticket on higher prices.