Storm over Mumbai forces 12 flights to land in Gujarat

A storm over Mumbai on Wednesday turned Surat and Vadodara airports in Gujarat into unexpected stopovers for people flying to the financial capital. At least 12 Mumbai-bound flights were diverted to Gujarat after thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds disrupted landing operations.

Eight of the diverted flights landed in Surat, which included five operated by IndiGo and three by Air India Express, and four others in Vadodara. Officials told this newspaper that the diversions were ordered by the Air Traffic Control as a safety measure as weather conditions made operations difficult around Mumbai.

All the flights diverted to Surat and Vadodara landed safely and were parked at the airports, with their onward departure dependent on weather conditions improving in Mumbai. Airport authorities said arrangements were made for drinking water, refreshments and other requirements for the passengers.

The four flights diverted to Vadodara’s Harni airport were Air India’s AI 2447 from Hyderabad, AI 599 from Vijayawada and AI 1780 from Indore, and IndiGo’s 6E 329 from Delhi. Officials said that the flights landed shortly after 7.30 pm and were awaiting clearance to fly to Mumbai.