3,000 flyers stranded in Ahmedabad

The volcano eruption in Iceland seems to have impacted life in a rather unexpected and unprecedented manner in Ahmedabad. An estimated 3,000 people have been left stranded after flights to Europe were cancelled.

They have been thus forced to change their schedule, on account of disruption of flights to various destinations in Europe and beyond.

According to aviation industry sources, an estimated 600 - 700 people fly out of Ahmedabad to Europe and US on a daily basis. There are an estimated 25 direct flights from Ahmedabad to these destinations in a week.

Three airlines - Air India, Emirates and Qatar Airlines operate direct flights to Europe and US out of Ahmedabad, but all these flights have been grounded since April 15, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. "All airlines have cancelled their flights to Europe and US for the last five days due to adverse conditions in Europe," BP Bhagat, airport director, Ahmedabad, said.

Meanwhile, officials of Air India, which operates daily flights to Frankfurt and London from Ahmedabad, said the airline is starting its flight to New Jersey in US from Monday night.

"The flight will take off from Ahmedabad at 1.35 am. It will halt at Mumbai before leaving for New Jersey. However, it will not be going to Frankfurt since the airport there is shut down," an AI official said.

The official, however, added that no decision has been taken about resuming the Ahmedabad-Mumbai-London flight yet . In another development, social events and weddings planned in the coming weeks are also likely to be called off. "A friend's wedding scheduled for next week was  rescheduled as the groom and his families are in the UK," said Shailaja Mookerjee, a corporate lawyer.