Restoration of Airport Services at Chennai Airport after Cyclone Vardah

New Delhi. Within 24 hours of striking cyclone “Vardah”, the Airport operations at Chennai Airport were resumed at 0545 Hrs IST of 13.12.2016. Operations were under suspension for nearly 22 Hrs w.e.f. 09.15Hrs IST of 12.12.2016.
 
On receipt of weather warning from Indian Meteorological Department at 0700Hrs IST on 12.12.2016 about severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah' progressing towards Chennai City predicting gusty winds and heavy rain, the Airport Director and Senior Officers of Airport operation and Air Navigation Services of Airports Authority of India disseminated the warning to all Airlines and other stakeholders at the Airport for possible action as per Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)/ Contingency plan. 
 
As a precautionary measure 46 scheduled flights were despatched from the ground considering the past experience during last flooding of Chennai in December, 2015. All the small aircrafts were also shifted inside the hanger for safety. All aircrafts, Passenger Boarding Bridges, Ground Handling Equipment and vehicles of operational area were securely moored and safely parked. 
 
All the essential facilities brought back to function in spite of totally disrupted power supply from State Electricity Board. High speed winds and non-availability of power supply which had forced the stopping of Radar Antennae and switching off of Navigational Aids.
 
AAI successfully implemented the Contingency plan by employing additional safety margins for separation standards during the entire period resulting in smooth operation of over flying aircraft. 
 
Before starting of operations from Chennai Airport, several rounds of inspections and meetings were held with stakeholders and after the improvement in weather; the total Airport operations resumed and normalised.

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