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The airport in Kolkata appears empty as Cyclone Remal causes aircraft delays

Many passengers' travel plans have been disrupted as a result of the 394 local and international flights that were affected during the 21-hour flying stoppage.


The airport, usually bustling with activity like any other international hub, was empty save for security guards, employees of t

The airport in Kolkata appears empty as Cyclone Remal causes aircraft delays

he Airports Authority of India, and a few airline staff members. It was an uncommon sight.

Due to the impending threat of severe cyclonic storm Remal, flight operations were suspended just after midday on May 26, leaving the Kolkata airport looking empty.


This is unusual for an international hub like Kolkata Airport, as there are currently only a few airline employees, security guards, and employees of the Airports Authority of India working at the airport. There were no passengers in sight, so the passenger carts sat in orderly rows, undamaged. The security personnel continued to patrol the premises with their normal alert and wary demeanor.


The airport in Kolkata appears empty as Cyclone Remal causes aircraft delays


An AAI representative told PTI that "the ambience strongly hinted at the structure housing the terminal being still to open for operations." "The only aircraft out of Kolkata airport, an IndiGo to operate bound for Bangalore, arrived at 12.16 pm, after the operation ceased until 9 am on Monday," he stated.


According to the AAI spokeswoman, during the time leading up to the suspension, 39 planes took off and 41 arrived at the Kolkata airport. Between early morning and noon, nine of the departures and seven of the arrivals were canceled. Many passengers' travel plans have been disrupted as a result of the 394 local and international flights that were affected during the 21-hour flying stoppage.


Beginning late on May 25, airlines like as Air India, Vistara, IndiGo, and SpiceJet began posting travel advisories on their social media pages, giving travelers information and direction.


IndiGo said in a press release on May 26 that the cyclonic storm was the reason for several of their flight cancellations and postponed departures. "All modifications have been communicated to passengers beforehand, and they are receiving real-time updates on social media channels. To prevent travelers from experiencing inconvenience as a result of the cyclone, mitigation steps have been implemented.


The officials at the Kolkata airport have implemented preventive precautions in anticipation of the possible effects of Cyclone Remal. These measures are in line with meteorological reports that indicate high winds and precipitation.


Following a stakeholder meeting on May 26 that was presided over by NSCBI Airport director C. Pattabhi, the decision to cease operations was taken. The forecast indicated that wind speeds would exceed 50 to 60 knots, with gusts reaching 70 knots.


The airport in Kolkata appears empty as Cyclone Remal causes aircraft delays.


On May 26, major interruptions to air, train, and road traffic occurred in Kolkata and other parts of South Bengal due to the approaching landfall of severe cyclone Remal. It is anticipated that these disruptions will persist until May 27.


As a precaution, authorities from the Eastern and South Eastern railroads said they had canceled certain trains on routes to and from the coastal districts of South and North 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur.


From 11 p.m. on Sunday to 6 a.m. on Monday, the Eastern Railway halted train operations in the Sealdah division's Barasat-Hasnabad and Sealdah South sections, canceling multiple EMU local trains, according to an official. Eight local trains won't run on May 27 morning in addition to the five suburban trains that were canceled on May 26, according to an Eastern Railway official.


According to a Zonal railway official, the South Eastern Railway canceled several MEMU and EMU trains to and from the beach tourist destination of Digha on May 26 and 27, as well as the Howrah-Digha-Howrah Kandari Express on May 26.

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