With large parts of Europe experiencing heavy snowfall, air traffic took a major hit with runways across the continent covered under a thick blanket of snow. In Delhi itself, at least one flight was cancelled while about five to six were delayed.
According to airline sources , they had the advantage of long haul flights — six to eight hour long — and hence had been able to make alternate arrangements for passengers. '' We rebooked many passengers and for those who were headed for the US and had stopovers in Europe, we booked them on direct flights. For those who were likely to miss connections, arrangements were made at the local airports ,'' said an official.
Finnair cancelled one of its flights but that was due to a cabin crew strike. '' Lufthansa and British Airways were among those airlines that had to delay flights. The delays ranged from one hour to four hours. The change in weather was rather sudden this year as such heavy snow normally falls around mid-December or January. Airports were not prepared but still managed to organise things in time. Several flights, including Air India's , took off on time from Delhi since the weather here is clear but it is anyone's guess whether they would be able to land or not,'' remarked another official.
Sources did say that the delays revealed IGI's unpreparedness to deal with several delays . '' DIAL has appointed people for catering but they were not prepared to cater on a short notice for passengers of even one flight. For instance, when we asked them for snacks, they wanted four hours to prepare for it. A passenger will definitely not wait for that long especially when his flight is delayed. If this is the situation now, what will happen when Delhi gets fogged,'' said an official.
For passengers, who have to travel to Europe in coming few days, airlines have advised that they keep a watch over weather conditions. '' While we are making possible arrangement to ensure that passengers are not inconvenienced weather is fluctuating and one doesn't know when a particular airport may shut or open up,'' said an airline official . '' Even for those flights that take off from Delhi, there is no guarantee."
According to airline sources , they had the advantage of long haul flights — six to eight hour long — and hence had been able to make alternate arrangements for passengers. '' We rebooked many passengers and for those who were headed for the US and had stopovers in Europe, we booked them on direct flights. For those who were likely to miss connections, arrangements were made at the local airports ,'' said an official.
Finnair cancelled one of its flights but that was due to a cabin crew strike. '' Lufthansa and British Airways were among those airlines that had to delay flights. The delays ranged from one hour to four hours. The change in weather was rather sudden this year as such heavy snow normally falls around mid-December or January. Airports were not prepared but still managed to organise things in time. Several flights, including Air India's , took off on time from Delhi since the weather here is clear but it is anyone's guess whether they would be able to land or not,'' remarked another official.
Sources did say that the delays revealed IGI's unpreparedness to deal with several delays . '' DIAL has appointed people for catering but they were not prepared to cater on a short notice for passengers of even one flight. For instance, when we asked them for snacks, they wanted four hours to prepare for it. A passenger will definitely not wait for that long especially when his flight is delayed. If this is the situation now, what will happen when Delhi gets fogged,'' said an official.
For passengers, who have to travel to Europe in coming few days, airlines have advised that they keep a watch over weather conditions. '' While we are making possible arrangement to ensure that passengers are not inconvenienced weather is fluctuating and one doesn't know when a particular airport may shut or open up,'' said an airline official . '' Even for those flights that take off from Delhi, there is no guarantee."
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