Cyclone Remal: Major airlines suspend flight ops from Kolkata

The precautionary measure was taken after a meeting of the stakeholders of the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport

Major airlines Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet announced on Saturday that they would suspend their operation at Kolkata airport because of the impact of cyclone Remal on the coastal region of West Bengal, including Kolkata.

A total of 394 flights, arrival and departure, in both international and domestic sectors would not operate to and fro the airport during the flight suspension period, an Airports Authority of India (AAI) spokesperson told PTI.

Air India in a post on X wrote, "Due to cyclonic storm conditions, Kolkata airport will be closed from 1200 hrs of 26 May to 0900 hrs of 27 May. Air India flights to/from Kolkata during this period are likely to be affected. Passengers booked on these flights are requested to check our website for further updates."

Budget airline IndiGo in a post on X wrote," A cyclone warning remains in force in  Kolkata. The airport will remain closed and all flights to/fro Kolkata are cancelled from May 26, 1200 Hrs to May 27, 0900 hrs."

Another budget airline SpiceJet in a post on X wrote,"Due to the cyclone REMAL's impact, operations at Kolkata (CCU) are suspended. All flight operations to/from Kolkata (CCU) have been cancelled from 1200 hours dated 26th May'24 to 0900 hours dated 27th May'24. Passengers are requested to get in touch with our 24/7 customer care helpline at +91 (0)124 4983410/+91 (0)124 7101600."

Earlier, the authorities of Kolkata airport have decided to suspend flight operations for 21 hours from Sunday noon in view of the possible impact of cyclone Remal, an official said.In view of cyclone Remal's impact on the coastal region of West Bengal, including Kolkata, a meeting was held with the stakeholders and it has been decided to suspend flight operations from 1200 IST on May 26 to 0900 IST on May 27 due to predicted heavy winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall in Kolkata, NSCBI airport director C Pattabhi said in a statement.

The IMD warned of extremely heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal and heavy to very heavy rainfall in north Odisha on Sunday and Monday owing to the weather system.

Extremely heavy precipitation is also likely in Assam and Meghalaya, and heavy to very heavy rains in the other northeastern states of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura on Monday and Tuesday.

Storm surge of up to 1.5 metre is expected to inundate low-lying areas of coastal West Bengal and Bangladesh at the time of landfall.

The IMD warned fishermen not to venture into the sea in the north Bay of Bengal till Monday morning.

A red alert was issued for West Bengal's coastal districts of South and North 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur, and also for adjoining Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly, where extremely heavy rain is likely on Sunday and Monday.

*With Agency Inputs