- By Nidhi Giri
- Sat, 05 Oct 2024 05:34 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Chennai Air Show: Several flights scheduled to depart from Chennai were cancelled in view of the rehearsals for Indian Air Force (IAF) airshow scheduled to be held on Sunday, October 6. A total of ten flights were cancelled on Friday. These flights were supposed to land in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Sri Lanka, the Andamans, and Madurai. The cancellations were announced just a few hours before the scheduled departure landing many passengers in a difficult situation as they struggled to find alternative flights or travel arrangements.
A total of 46 flights were affected due to Friday cancellation as the airspace was closed between 11 am and 1 pm. Chennai airport authorities had announced on September 30 that the airspace would be closed for periods ranging from 15 minutes to 135 minutes between October 1 and 8. In compliance with which, airlines were also instructed to reschedule flights during these times.
An Akasa Air flight from Bengaluru, scheduled to arrive at 7am and depart for the Andamans at 7:45am, was cancelled due to 'operational reasons'. Since the return flight from Port Blair would arrive in Chennai at 1pm, during the airspace closure, the entire flight was cancelled to avoid disruptions. This same flight was also cancelled on 1st October for the same reason, said a report by Times of India.
Similarly, Air India cancelled flights on the Mumbai-Chennai-Bengaluru, Chennai-Madurai, Chennai-Colombo, and Colombo-Chennai routes, as they were scheduled during rehearsal hours. Cancellations are expected again on Sunday during the airshow between 11am and 1pm, but airlines have yet to confirm this.
"Airlines usually notify passengers well in advance if a flight is rescheduled, but cancellations are often confirmed just hours before. The only benefit is that passengers will receive a full refund," said airport sources. Large numbers of ticket cancellations are also believed to be a factor, though airlines have not confirmed this.
Chennai IAF Air Show 2024
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to perform a major airshow at Marina Beach, Chennai On October 6. This event is part of the celebrations for the IAF's 92nd anniversary, which falls on October 8. The airshow will feature an impressive lineup of 72 aircraft, including Rafale, SU-30, MIGs, Jaguars and Tejas. Audiences will also be treated to performances by renowned aerobatic teams like Surya Kiran and Sarang, showcasing synchronised flying and intricate manoeuvres.
Chennai Air Show: Timings And Venue
-The Chennai Air Show will be held at Marina Beach, Tamil Nadu.
-Celebration Date: October 6, 2024
-Rehearsal Date: October 5, 2024
-Timings: 11 am to 1 pm