Bengaluru: Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Wednesday, as their flights to Kochi were cancelled Cochin International Airport has suspended its operations due to heavy rains.
The runway at the Cochin airport was inundated due to heavy rains. It has cancelled operations till 2 pm on August 18 as work is in progress to help resume operations at the earliest.
The authorities are trying to drain out the waterlogged runway, but the incessant downpour was making it the operations difficult.
According to an official from the airport, around five flights from Bengaluru to Kochi and five flights from Kochi arriving at Bengaluru were cancelled.
Air Asia India, Alliance Air, Spice Jet cancelled each flight while Indigo cancelled two flights flying from Bengaluru to Kochi and Kochi to Bengaluru on Wednesday.
The airlines have claimed that they have made necessary arrangements for the stranded passengers.
However, several of passengers at KIA were worried and looking for alternate arrangements to reach their destination.
Biju Thomas, a resident of Kochi, who had come to the city on Monday on business purpose said that he has no option to reach Kochi as the flights and buses have been cancelled and trains are the only option.
“I am trying to get train tickets but it is not working out. It is frustrating but cannot help it and we have to wait until the rain recedes,” he added.
Several passengers were furious that the airlines have not made on the spot refunds. But the airlines have assured that they are making the required arrangements and will ensure that the passengers’ safety.
1,500 booking requests for KSRTC
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), which had on Tuesday suspended services to Mangaluru and Chikkamagaluru, following heavy rains in these two districts, received more than 1,500 booking requests on Wednesday. KSRTC normally operates 50 buses to these districts from Mysore Road bus station.
