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Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, often touted as the second busiest in India after Delhi, grapples with significant air traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours. While delays are a common challenge for air travelers, a surprising contributor to this congestion has emerged: the Hindi film industry.
According to a report by navbharattimes.com, approximately 100 chartered flights, ferrying corporate executives and Bollywood celebrities, add to the air traffic chaos daily. This influx of VIP flights significantly impacts the schedules of regular passenger flights, often leading to extensive delays in landing and takeoff.
To address this issue, directives have been issued to the airport operator and Air Traffic Control (ATC) to prioritize the movement of chartered flights during non-peak hours. This strategic move aims to mitigate disruptions to the schedules of regular passenger flights caused by VIP air traffic.
Recent data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) highlights the adverse effects of flight delays on passengers. In January 2024 alone, 4.82 lakh passengers experienced flight delays exceeding two hours, leading to widespread inconvenience.
The financial implications of these delays are substantial, with airlines collectively spending Rs 3.69 crore on facilitation efforts to mitigate passenger inconvenience. Despite these challenges, domestic passenger traffic witnessed a 4.69% growth, totaling 1.31 crore passengers last month, compared to 1.25 crore in January 2023.
The data also sheds light on other disruptions faced by passengers, including denied boarding for 1,374 individuals and flight cancellations affecting 68,362 passengers in January 2024. Airlines have offered compensation, refunds, and re-bookings to affected passengers to alleviate the impact of these disruptions.
As stakeholders work towards finding sustainable solutions to alleviate congestion and enhance operational efficiency at Mumbai airport, managing the influx of chartered flights, particularly during peak hours, emerges as a critical area for improvement.
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