Stop bonfire on Bhogi day as it would affect flights in Chennai airport
Chennai airport authorities have
urged people of Chennai to stop the customary bonfire as part of the Bhogi
celebrations on January 13 as it would affect movement of planes
Bhogi celebration is the customary bonfire practiced preceding
Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu.
In 2018, the Airfield was covered
with thick smoke emanating from the bonfire reducing visibility at Chennai
Airport which in turn lead to diversions and cancellation of flights much to
the inconvenience of passengers. Nearly 73 departures and 45 arrivals were
affected.
However, during 2019, 2020, 2021
& 2022 Bhogi, through intense sensitisation among public and communities
around Chennai Airport, the effect of the bonfire could be minimised with fewer
disruptions in air traffic.
This time around too, as a
precautionary measure and to avoid any flight disruptions, we sincerely request public staying in the proximity of Airport not
to burn waste materials which creates thick smoke during ‘Bhogi’.
With the present foggy weather of
Chennai, characteristic of winter, the scenario can be worse because of the
smoke from bhogi bonfire. Since such activity brings down visibility in and
around Chennai Airport leading to diversion(s) / cancellation(s) as well as
passenger’s inconvenience, we will be extremely thankful to the valued public
support for helping aviation at Chennai.
