CHENNAI: The Chennai airport, which was shut after floodwaters entered its runway, will begin partial domestic operations from Sunday morning, said officials.
With the power supply yet to be restored fully, the operations would be limited to day time.
Till normalcy is restored, terminal 3, not terminal 1, will be operated, said a statement from the Airports Authority of India. As there was no power to operate the baggage facilities, passengers have been asked to carry only limited luggage, preferable only hand baggage. The statement added that registered baggage would be acceptable subject to particular airline’s discretion.
Full-fledged operations, including international flight operations, are expected to begin by December 8, after the regulator DGCA completes its inspection and gives a go- ahead, said sources.
Sources in the airport said the runway was cleaned on Saturday, enabling a few of the stranded aircraft to be flown out to other cities. A few relief aircraft, too, were able to operate from the airport because of this.
However, commercial operations require all facilities to be available, including baggage handling, which require power, pointed out a senior official. Similarly, almost all the international flights operate during the late hours, making it mandatory to have lights and other facilities that are required for landing and take-off.