Heavy rains hit Mumbai yesterday afternoon, causing disruptions in the city. Operations at Mumbai Airport too have been severely affected by adverse weather conditions.
Following the skidding of a SpiceJet (Varanasi-Mumbai) aircraft on the main runway last evening, operations were shifted to Mumbai Airport’s secondary runway, which can carry out limited operations.
A statement by SpiceJet confirms this, “SpiceJet flight, a Boeing 737 registered as VT-SGZ, operating flight SG 703 from Varanasi to Mumbai, with 183 passengers landed on Runway 27 in Mumbai. During landing the aircraft overshot the runway and skidded off into the unpaved surface due to wet runway conditions caused due to heavy rains. All passengers deplaned safely and taken to the arrival hall.”
The main runway continues to be out of use due to the SpiceJet aircraft stuck there until this morning. As many as 56 flights have been diverted to neighbouring cities including Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Hyderabad.
Mumbai airport and airlines have tweeted confirming this situation and have requested passengers to check their flight status before arriving at the airport.
Schools and colleges in Mumbai Metropolitan Region have been instructed to remain closed today in view of heavy rains.
Mumbai airport is India’s second busiest airport. It handles 930 flights daily with an average of 48 movements per hour.
