The Situation at Kolkata Airport
Intensifying monsoon showers have lashed Kolkata and the surrounding South Bengal region, leading to widespread disruptions for air travellers. On Friday, the area around the airport recorded significant rainfall, leading to waterlogging on key access
roads and slowing down traffic. Airlines like SpiceJet and IndiGo have issued advisories, warning passengers of potential delays and cancellations for all arrivals and departures due to the severe weather. This is not an isolated event; recent weeks have seen similar disruptions, including a rare incident where lightning struck a stationary aircraft, causing significant delay and highlighting the serious challenges posed by the monsoon. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts this wet spell will continue, with more heavy rain and thunderstorms expected over the coming days.
Why This Monsoon Is Causing Havoc
Flight operations during the monsoon are inherently challenging due to hazards like heavy rain, low visibility, strong gusty winds, and thunderstorms. The primary issues at Kolkata airport are twofold: operational limitations during severe weather and ground-level problems. Extremely heavy rainfall can reduce visibility and create strong crosswinds, making take-offs and landings unsafe. When storm cells are near the airport, air traffic controllers must reduce the rate of arrivals and departures to ensure safety, which quickly leads to a backlog of flights. Compounding the issue is severe waterlogging, a recurring problem for the city. Major roads leading to the airport, including VIP Road, have been inundated, causing massive traffic jams and making it difficult for passengers and crew to even reach the terminal on time.
Your Monsoon Travel Checklist
Given the forecast, preparedness is key for anyone flying to or from Kolkata. First, constantly check your flight status. Download your airline's app for the fastest updates on delays or cancellations. Airlines are urging passengers to do this. Second, leave for the airport much earlier than you normally would. With waterlogging causing traffic to move at a snail's pace, a 30-minute journey can easily take over an hour. Third, pack essentials like medications, a change of clothes, and a power bank in your carry-on luggage, not your checked baggage. This ensures you have access to them in case of long delays or diversions. Finally, be aware of your rights. Even for weather-related disruptions, which are outside an airline's control, you are entitled to assistance.
Know Your Rights as a Passenger
While airlines are not required to pay monetary compensation for delays or cancellations caused by "force majeure" events like weather, they still have a duty of care to passengers. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules, if your flight is delayed by two hours or more, the airline is obligated to provide you with free meals and refreshments. For longer delays, you may be entitled to an alternate flight or a full refund. If a delay becomes overnight (for flights scheduled between 8 pm and 3 am and delayed over six hours), the airline must provide hotel accommodation and transfers. Do not assume this will be offered automatically; you may need to proactively approach airline ground staff to claim these facilities.
The Ripple Effect in Eastern India
Kolkata serves as the primary aviation hub for all of eastern and northeastern India. Delays and cancellations at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport have a significant knock-on effect on smaller airports across the region. Flights to cities like Guwahati, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Agartala, and others in the Northeast are often directly impacted. A delay in Kolkata can mean a cancelled connecting flight for a passenger heading to a smaller town. Aircraft and crew that are stuck in Kolkata cannot operate their subsequent scheduled flights, leading to a cascade of delays throughout the network. This makes it crucial for travellers across the entire region to monitor the situation in Kolkata, as disruptions there can affect their journeys even if the weather at their location is clear.
