SpiceJet, arguably the most aggressive low-cost carrier in India, said it has resumed normal operations from Chennai starting from December 8, 2015, making it the first airline to commence full-fledged services from the airport with all its 34 flights taking off on Day 1.
Air travel to and fro Chennai had been disrupted by week-long rains and flooding. Chennai airport is built over a low-lying area and has a runway that is constructed over a river.
“We are very happy to resume normal operations from Chennai and feel extremely proud to associate ourselves with the ongoing relief program to support Chennai. We will extend every possible help to ensure uninterrupted supply of relief material.” said GP Gupta, Chief Administrative Officer and Accountable Manager, SpiceJet.
The airline had also operated a special flight on December 4, 2015, from Rajali naval air station in Arakkonan to Bengaluru, thereby evacuating all its stranded passengers from Chennai.
SpiceJet said it had honoured its tickets from Chennai on its entire domestic network apart from constantly communicating information and updates through its website and social media platform. Other airlines also offered alternate flights and routes for their stranded passengers.
The airport was thrown open for 24-hour traffic yesterday.
SpiceJet said it is also supporting the Chennai flood victims by helping various non-profit organizations to transport relief material to Chennai.
“The airline in association with a volunteer organization from Mumbai, ‘Anybody Can Help’, has received one ton of relief material comprising of rice and dal, biscuits, milk powder, plastic mats, tarpaulin sheets, water purifier tablets, mosquito nets, new bed sheets and general medicines, at the airline’s Mumbai warehouse which will be mobilized to Chennai. The airline has also been approached by Delhi Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee and Sewa Bharti among others to help them in moving relief material to Chennai.”
