Last-minute airfares rise 40% as downpour disrupts Mumbai airport

Last minute airfares rose 35-40 per cent as rains and closure of main runway at Mumbai airport disrupted operations. On Tuesday 55 flights were diverted and over 200 flights were cancelled from Mumbai because of rain, low visibility and poor braking action on secondary runway.

Airlines canceled nearly 80 flights on Wednesday which included both arrival and departures from Mumbai. Flights continued to be delayed as the secondary runway at Mumbai has a lower aircraft handling capacity.

The disruption of operations has pushed up last minute airfares for flights from Mumbai, according to travel website ixigio. “Heavy rainfall in Mumbai has impacted close to 400 flights in the last two days due to disruption in flight schedules.