Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s aircraft was unable to land at Kolkata airport on Thursday afternoon after sudden and intense weather conditions disrupted operations. Heavy rainfall, accompanied by strong gusty winds, lashed the airport area, leading to chaotic conditions in the airspace.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s aircraft finally landed at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 5:19 pm on Thursday after remaining airborne for over an hour due to heavy rain.

Sources said the aircraft was forced to circle over multiple areas, including Pandua, Chakdaha, Payradanga, Kalna and Jirat, as visibility and landing conditions deteriorated rapidly.

The disruption was not limited to the Chief Minister’s aircraft. At least three to four incoming flights, including a SpiceJet aircraft, were instructed to remain on hold due to unsafe landing conditions.

Airport sources confirmed that strong crosswinds and reduced visibility made it difficult for pilots to attempt landing, prompting air traffic control to delay arrivals until conditions improved.

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Planned route disrupted by weather

Earlier in the day, Mamata Banerjee had attended a meeting in Pandaveshwar in West Burdwan, followed by another in Dubrajpur in Birbhum. She was scheduled to return to Kolkata from Andal.

Banerjee was travelling in a chartered Falcon aircraft, which had taken off from Andal airport around 3.30 pm and was scheduled to land in Kolkata around 4 pm. However, the sudden deterioration in the weather prevented a timely landing.

Officials indicated that if landing in Kolkata remained impossible, the aircraft could return to Andal, its point of departure. Ranchi was also kept as a secondary alternative for diversion.

Aviation experts noted that in such situations, pilots continuously assess weather conditions, and once one aircraft successfully lands, others typically follow based on improved conditions.

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Heightened caution due to vip presence

While the Chief Minister’s Falcon aircraft is smaller and capable of landing under relatively tighter conditions, authorities are exercising additional caution due to the presence of a VIP on board.

“All safety parameters are being carefully evaluated before granting landing clearance,” an airport official said.