The Hindu Business Line : Airlines asked to operate more flights to Mumbai

THE Ministry of Civil Aviation said today that domestic airlines flying to Mumbai could operate more special flights to clear the backlog of passengers wanting to travel to and from the city.

The Secretary of Civil Aviation, Mr Ajay Prasad, said: "We met with all the airlines this morning and requested them to clear the backlog of passengers and also asked them to operate flights from other cities into Mumbai. The airlines flying to Mumbai can also operate more special flights. International operations will also begin today from the city."

The airport in Mumbai, which has been closed for scheduled civilian aircraft operations since Tuesday due to the rain, opened this afternoon.

However, even before the airport had became fully operational today, three Defence aircraft including two AN-32s and one Avro reached the city with relief material.

Besides, another special aircraft with the ONGC Chairman, Mr Subir Raha, touched down around 4.30 a.m.

The first commercial flight to take off from Mumbai was an Indian Airlines aircraft, which left for Delhi at 1.20 p.m.

Incidentally, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh's special aircraft also touched down in Mumbai around 3.20 p.m., sources said.

Commenting on the damage caused by the incessant rain, the Secretary said that most of the material could be made "functional by either drying or heating," adding that the exact quantum of damage was being assessed.

"Our first priority was to get the airport operational, which has been done. At the moment no figure can be put on the quantum of the damage."

As a precautionary measure, the 1432 runway in Mumbai has also been made operational.

Meanwhile, IA alone operated 18 flights today into Mumbai, including five from Delhi, three from Chennai, and two each from Bangalore and Hyderabad, airline officials said. Similarly, Air Sahara operated six flights between Delhi and Mumbai.

Officials expressed the hope that the airline would be able to operate flights to and from Mumbai as per its normal schedule from tomorrow.

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