Overview
- Mamata Banerjee’s chartered jet from Andal, which reached Kolkata airspace Thursday afternoon, was kept in a holding pattern for roughly 60 to 90 minutes.
- Air traffic control suspended take-offs and landings from 4:22 pm to 5:19 pm due to heavy rain, strong winds and lightning, delaying multiple flights and diverting one.
- The aircraft made several aborted approaches near Behala while officials considered a return to Andal or a diversion to Ranchi.
- The jet touched down safely at 5:19 pm as conditions eased, with the weather office logging 26–27 mm of rain, peak winds of 57 km/h and a brief hail burst over Dum Dum.
- Forecasts and later knock-on delays, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s late-night arrival on Friday, point to a short spell of recurring nor’wester storms that could trigger more short airport stoppages.