SRINAGAR: All flights in and out of the Srinagar Airport were cancelled on Thursday afternoon after two tyres of an Air India (AI) flight burst during landing.
144 passengers, most of them paramilitary BSF personnel, aboard AI 3821 chartered flight coming from Jammu to Srinagar, had a providential escape, sources at the airport said.
The tyre burst however caused a groove on the runway thus making it unsuitable for landing or take-off, sources told Kashmir Observer.
According to witnesses, Aircraft landed at the airport at around 2 pm on Thursday and seconds later two tires on the rear, and on the same side, burst.
All incoming and outgoing flights were immediately cancelled.
Director Airport Authority of India, Srinagar Rajesh Shinde
said, The runway is being repaired. A groove has got created at the spot. He however did not give any time frame by when the runway will be made operational.
The reasons for tyre burst are being looked at, officials said.
Around 60 flights land and take off from Srinagar International Airport daily these days making it one of the most congested airports in India given its smaller size.
Our correspondent adds from New Delhi:
There was chaos at Delhi airport as well following the sudden cancellation of flights to Srinagar. Passengers at Terminal 1 were seen arguing with staff of airlines and scrambling for alternate bookings. None of the officials of any airline, Kashmir Observer spoke to, was certain as when the next flight will land in Srinagar.
Meanwhile Air India is in the dock for frequent mishaps and regular delays. This is the second time this week that an Air India flight has hit a snag. On Tuesday, June 28 an AI international flight, bound for Kuala Lumpur had to land soon after take off as it was hit by a technical snag.
The emergency landing of the Airbus 320, carrying 157 people on board, happened at the Tiruchi airport.
Earlier in March 16 another Air India aircraft with over 150 passengers on board suffered a tyre burst while taxiing at Mumbai airport.
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