The Jet Airways Web site states that due to cyclone Phailin, the Bhubaneswar airport is closed and hence its services to and from Bhubaneswar have been disrupted.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and will restart our operations to Bhubaneswar as soon as we are informed that the airport is opened,’’ the Web site states.
Pilots with various domestic airlines confirmed the development and said that several flights had been cancelled or were being asked to fly to Hyderabad.
Sources indicated that IndiGo had used Twitter to tell its customers that most of its flights to and from Bhubaneshwar on October 12 had been cancelled due to safety concerns.
They said that IndiGo flight operating on Chennai-Vizag-Bhubaneshwar route left almost four hours behind schedule due to bad weather at Bhubaneshwar.
Normal operations
The Airports Authority of India officials, which manages the Bhubaneshwar airport, said that all flights except Air India flight from Delhi and Mumbai had been cancelled but claimed that the operations were normal and all contingency plans were in place.
"Indian Air Force has provided space in terminal 2 for rescue and relief,” sources said.
Deviation in route
Pilots told Business Line that they had been told to expect "deviation in route and delays in flights'', while operating in that area.
Almost all airlines flying in the area, which will be affected by the cyclone, are carrying additional fuel to meet any contingency, a pilot added.