All flights to resume from Chennai airport today, even as IMD predicts heavy rainfall
Chennai: All domestic and international flights from Chennai, both day and night, will resume from Monday morning after partial day-time services operated Sunday.
"Availability of Chennai airport for all weather day and night operations for all flights for which domestic and international terminals will be available from 6 am of 7.12.2015," an Airport Authority of India statement said.
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This followed an inspection by DGCA for night operations, an AAI spokesman said.
The airport was shut down last Tuesday night after heavy downpour flooded the runway and all other operating areas.
Some air crafts drifted away into neighbouring forests after heavy rainfall in Chennai (Photo: PTI)
After a review, technical and ferry flights were allowed from Saturday and the AAI had permitted day-time flights to operate from Sunday.
An Air India passenger aircraft to Port Blair was the first flight to take off on Sunday morning.
Altogether five passenger flights, all of Air India, took off from or landed at Chennai Airport till 5 pm Sunday. An Oman Air plane stranded at the Chennai airport departed for Muscat with two crew.
Four ferry flights also took off or landed at the airport, AAI sources said.
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The decision came after water levels began to recede in the city, however the Meteorological department predicted more showers in Tamil Nadu over the next 48 hours.
"A trough of low pressure has formed and lies over South West bay off Tamil Nadu coast," a Met official said.
Saturday's low pressure area over Sri Lanka and adjoining Comorin area off South Tamil Nadu coast has moved westward and now lies over Comorin area and its neighbourhood.
"As a result of the two systems, coastal and interior Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will receive rainfall in the next 24-48 hours and some areas like Cuddalore are likely to see heavy to very heavy showers," he said.
