Approach radar "packs up," chaos at airport

MUMBAI, November 12: All domestic and international flights in and out of Mumbai were delayed for 30 minutes to two hours after the approach radar at the airport `packed up’ early today, an airport official said.

The radar became unserviceable for over nine hours from 2:30 am, leading to the delays, the official said. Further, a `depression’ noticed on the taxi track leading to the runway and bad weather added to the woes. The work-to-rule agitation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Guild aggravated the situation to such an extent that passengers had to sit in aircraft for 90 minutes to 120 minutes. “The situation is chaotic. We are trying to restore some order as there were consequential delays because of delayed departures,” Air-India officials said.