Kerala floods: Kochi Airport to remain shut till August 26, IndiGo waives off cancellation, reschedule charges

The Cochin International Airport on Thursday suspended all flight operations till Saturday as the aerodrome was flooded following unabated rains and the opening of dam shutters in the Periyar river, prompting authorities to divert all incoming and outgoing flights to Thiruvananthapuram or Kozhikode.

Meanwhile, considering the flood situation in the state, IndiGo has announced that it has waived off any cancellation and rescheduling charges for  the customers. IndiGo also said that flights operating to and from Cochin stands cancelled for now. 

It also infomred its customers that IndiGo will operate additional flights from Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore and Trivandrum effective August 17, 2018. "We also liaising with local partners to transport relief material for affected people", the airline said. 

#6ETravelAdvisory: Due to the ongoing flood situation in Kochi, we're offering a cancellation/rescheduling fee waiver to all passengers scheduled to travel on 16th, 17th and 18th Aug, 2018. Please visit https://t.co/ofwzjniT1l We hope everything gets normal soon.

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 15, 2018

IndiGo assured that it will operate additional flights to accommodate stranded passengers. Following are the flight details. 

Another airline Vistara has also announced additional flights to Trivandrum in view of Kochi airport closure. "Flights will operate from Delhi and Chennai. Economy Class fares will be capped at Rs 10,000-Rs 7,500 respectively one way," the airline said. 

Re-post: We are operating special flights to Trivandrum in view of Kochi airport closure. Flights will operate from Delhi and Chennai. Economy Class fares will be capped at Rs 10k/7.5k respectively one way. We don’t normally operate to TRV,and have made special arrangements. pic.twitter.com/MUTrj0FX1b

— Vistara (@airvistara) August 16, 2018

It should be noted that Vistara dies not operate from Trivandrum but has made special arrangements due to the flood situation. 

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Ministry acceded to the state's request to utilise other airports in Kerala, instead of diverting the flights to Mumbai and other places.

Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted, "We have asked all airlines, domestic and foreign, to reschedule their Cochin flights either from Trivandrum or from Calicut (Kozhikode). For international flights, this will require special dispensation which has been granted considering the emergency. DGCA is coordinating." To the state government's request to allow small aircraft to land at the naval airport in Kochi, the minister said they were exploring alternative landing places for small aircraft.

The minister also said that he had directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Airport Authority to provide call centre facility to all stranded passengers as well as to provide requisite support to all rescue agencies so that "we ensure best possible solution to those unfortunately suffering from fury of nature".