Dearth of passenger bookings leaves Chd airport flightless
Chandigarh: For the second consecutive day, Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport remained eerily silent with not a single flight taking off or landing on Tuesday. The absence of air traffic has been attributed to poor passenger turnout, leading airlines to cancel scheduled services.Flight operators, including
IndiGo
and
Air India
, had initially announced limited flight operations following the Airports Authority of India's (AAI) decision to reopen airspace after the recent Indo-Pak tensions.
However, the low passenger load forced airlines to cancel flights at the last minute.IndiGo, which had scheduled four flights to and from key destinations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Leh, pulled back on operations due to inadequate bookings.
Similarly, Air India, which had proposed two flights for the day, also opted out."The announced flights were cancelled by the airline operators due to operational reasons," confirmed Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL) CEO Ajay Kumar. "We believe flight operations will normalise from May 15, as operators have resumed accepting bookings for flights post-5.45 am on that day. We advise passengers to make bookings accordingly."The disruptions are a direct fallout of the tense situation along the Indo-Pak border, which had prompted the temporary closure of 32 airports, including seven in North India. Following the announcement of a ceasefire and de-escalation of hostilities, AAI issued a notification on May 12 declaring the airports — including Chandigarh, Amritsar, Shimla, Ludhiana, Jammu, Srinagar, and Leh — fully operational.Despite this, Tuesday saw a total standstill in Chandigarh. Booking portals for major airlines now indicate availability from May 15 onward, but passenger interest remains low for May 14.Airport officials and airlines remain hopeful that services will resume smoothly once normalcy is restored and passenger confidence rebounds. Until then, Chandigarh continues to face the impact of regional instability and shifting travel patterns.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Govt approves Rs 1cr sponsorship for Troy Costa's Italy show
Panaji: The state cabinet on Wednesday approved the sponsorship of Brand Goa at Troy Costa's Menswear Showcase during Namaste India in Milan, Italy, on June 20, 2025, with financial support of over Rs 1 crore. The Entertainment Society of Goa received a proposal from Troy Costa, a globally recognised Indian menswear designer, proposing Goa govt's participation and branding association with his upcoming fashion showcase at the international event. This is a two-day flagship event to showcase Indian lifestyle brands in Italy, as per the invitation received from the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Costa had received an invitation to present the prime fashion showcase featuring his spring-summer 2026 menswear collection. In response, he has extended an invitation to the govt to partner and headline the show under the Brand Goa initiative, the cabinet said. The benefits of sponsorship include branding visibility for Brand Goa across all event collateral, including invitees, press releases, venue placements, and digital platforms. Additionally, there are 20 exclusive VVIP invitations for the fashion show in all official show kits and giveaways.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
In Gurgaon, task force set up to probe illegalbusinesses on road to Galleria Market
Gurgaon: After the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) intervention in a case concerning illegal commercial activities along the road leading to Galleria Market in Sector 27, deputy commissioner Ajay Kumar announced plans to constitute an inter-departmental team to probe the matter. The team will include officials from MCG, HSPCB, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Town Planning, and DHBVN, and will inspect the site and submit a detailed report. The action follows a petition by residents, highlighting severe environmental violations such as illegal commercial operations, including illegal use of diesel generator sets, open waste burning and untreated sewage discharge, allegedly causing severe air and noise pollution in the area. Deputy commissioner Ajay Kumar said, "We have taken note of the concerns raised regarding the illegal commercial activities in Sector 27. An inter-departmental team will be formed shortly to examine the entire situation on the ground. Based on their findings, appropriate action will be taken." The petition highlighted that multiple shops, eateries, and workshops have been operating without licences or environmental clearances near Hamilton Court and Galleria Market. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo An inspection by DHBVN on Feb 21, 2025, confirmed electricity theft and illegal resale of power. Despite disconnection, the establishments reportedly continued operations using DG sets in violation of environmental norms. The petitioner also alleged that despite submitting several complaints to the authorities between August 2024 and March 2025, no concrete action was taken. Meanwhile, residents have welcomed the DC's decision. "We've been suffering due to unchecked pollution, traffic congestion, and foul smells from untreated waste for months. This is the first time the administration is taking the issue seriously," said Pooja Singh, a resident of Sector 27. Environmental activists have also urged the administration to ensure that the committee's findings lead to on-ground enforcement. "Reports are not enough. What we need is action—sealing of illegal units and penalties against violators," said Vikram Singh, a city-based environmentalist. The inter-departmental committee is expected to start its inspection soon and submit a detailed report before the next NGT hearing scheduled for July 4, 2025.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Mys airport: 240 acres to be handed over for runway expansion
Mysuru: Mysuru district minister HC Mahadevappa on Wednesday said that the district administration will soon hand over 240 acres to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the runway expansion of Mysuru airport. This will help the operational airport to accommodate long-haul flights connecting it to major cities in India. Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with senior officials, he said that state govt acquired 230 acres from the farmers. Only ten acres need to be acquired, which will be done and handed over to the AAI to facilitate the airport expansion, he said. He stated that the state cabinet also sanctioned Rs 101.8 crore for the shifting of utilities, including the relocation of power lines. As the national highway Mysuru-Nanjagud-Gundlupet-Ooty needs to be realigned for runway expansion, the minister said he requested the Union minister of highways, road transport Nitin Gadkari to give his consent for the proposal of diverting the national highway. The minister said an NH connection will pass through Bandipalya, Hadajana, Chikkagowadanakoppal, Kudanahalli, and Kadakola. Mahadevappa said state govt also accorded permission to start adventurous sports activities in the Kabini backwaters near Kabini Jungle Lodges and Resorts in HD Kote. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The minister also rejected the proposal of conducting a Cauvery Aarthi-like event near Kabini. Mahadevappa said that he also gave instructions to officials to clear the hurdles related to the establishment of the proposed Film City at Himmavu Industrial Area near Nanjangud. Jobs will be provided to landlosers in factories on humanitarian grounds. MLA GT Devegowda, MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, deputy commissioner Lakshikanth Reddy, city police commissioner Seema Latkar, superintendent of police N Vishnuvardhan, MCC commissioner Sheikh Tanveer Asif, and ZP CEO S Ukeshkumar were present. Re-conduct joint survey of forest land The minister said that he also gave directions to both revenue and forest department officials to re-conduct a joint survey of deemed forest land. Mysuru district has 5,900 hectares of deemed forest land. Of this, a joint survey of 5,000 hectares was conducted. Mahadevappa said that he gave directions to the district administration to make all necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of pujas at Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Chamundi Hills during the Hindu month of Ashadha and during Chamundeshwari Vardhanti Utsav. He said that the entry of all private vehicles to the Chamundi Hills will be banned during Ashadha Fridays.
