DGCA announces revised timings for flight suspension at Kolkata Airport

NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: No flights will depart or arrive at Kolkata Airport from 3 pm on Friday to 8 am on Saturday in view of the cyclonic storm Fani,

which slammed into the Odisha coast on Friday morning, Indian aviation regulator DGCA said.

On Thursday, the regulator had said that there would be no flights to and from Kolkata Airport between 9.30 pm on Friday and 6 pm on Saturday.

A senior government official said that the timings regarding the shutdown of flight operations at Kolkata Airport have been revised after observing the progress of the cyclone.

On Friday, the DGCA said in a statement: "Revised timings provided by AAI for Kolkata Airport - From 1500 IST on 3.5.2019 till 0800 IST on 4.5.2019."

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) owns and manages more than 100 airports across India.

Meanwhile, in a series of tweets, Union Civil Aviation minister Suresh Prabhu said on Friday that all airlines must immediately respond to the concerns of passengers affected by Fani.

"We are ready to offer help needed to those stranded due to cyclonic storm Fani. Control room and helplines are being manned at all times to assist affected passengers. All airlines must immediately respond to the concerns of the passengers," he stated.

Prabhu also said that his ministry will work with the governments of the affected states, to assist them in rescue and relief operations.