Mumbai air travellers to face higher fares

Mumbai, Aug 27: Mumbai air travellers will face higher fares and will struggle with fewer flights as the Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport is going for renovation before the holiday season this winter in 2010.

Though the renovated airport will ensure timely arrival and departure mandatory for all airlines, but the travelling activities will be affected badly during the restoration period.

Situation is going to be more worse when the main runway, which faces 32 flights per hour, will be closed for around six months for repair from Nov 2010.

"The main runway at the airport is scheduled to be shut between 9am and 5 pm everyday from Nov for restoring work," informed the airport sources.

There will also be restrictions on heavy aircraft like the Boeing-747 and Airbus-A-340 taking off or landing at Mumbai. Heavy aircraft could also face load restrictions.

Both airline operators and passengers expressed concern that they will confront tough time as the main runway scheduled to be closed for repair work, and new restrictions imposed on timely arrivals and departures.

OneIndia News