Severe Weather Conditions Disrupt Flight Operations and Strand Tourists in Port Blair

John Wilbert &Vikramaditya
Port Blair, May 14: In the past three days, the combination of heavy rain and strong winds has resulted in some flights from mainland India being forced to turn back after entering Andaman’s airspace. The adverse weather conditions have caused significant disruptions, leading to flight cancellations, delays, and stranded tourists in Port Blair.
Yesterday, multiple flights scheduled for the Port Blair sector were canceled due to the inclement weather. Air India flights from Kolkata, Vistara flights from Delhi, and Indigo flights from Chennai were among those affected. Today, the previously canceled flights were rescheduled and successfully reached Port Blair.
Passengers traveling from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair experienced delays as they were made to wait for several hours before boarding their respective flights. Similarly, passengers on the Vistara flight from Delhi to Port Blair via Kolkata faced a delay, with airport authorities attributing it to unfavorable weather conditions in Port Blair.
Furthermore, disruptions in ferry services between Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep to Port Blair have resulted in numerous tourists missing their flights. As a response, some airlines have rescheduled passengers to the next available flights, but these too have been delayed due to the persistent bad weather.
The situation has left many tourists in distress, particularly as they have been informed that the airport will be closed starting from 16 May. With disrupted ferry services and limited flight availability, some travelers expressed concern over the lack of available seats until 21 May. Financial constraints have further compounded their troubles.
In addition to flight cancellations and delays, it has been reported that Vistara flights from Delhi were unable to land at Port Blair yesterday and today. Poor visibility and heavy winds forced the flights to turn back, adding to the challenges faced by both passengers and airline operators.
The adverse weather conditions continue to pose difficulties for travelers and authorities alike. Efforts are being made to mitigate the impact and ensure the safe and timely transportation of passengers, but the unpredictability of the weather remains a significant obstacle in the operation of flights to and from Port Blair.