Heavy snowfall in Europe hits charter flights to Goa

Panaji: Heavy snowfall across Europe and in the United Kingdom (UK) has affected charter flight operations to the state.
While Russian charter flights have been unaffected, according to tour operators charter flights from the UK are being rescheduled with a 24-hour delay.
Dominic Kostka, airline representative of Thomson Airways, told TOI that a Thomson flight arrived empty at Dabolim on Friday morning. "It was supposed to arrive on Thursday morning, but the Gatwick airport was closed due to heavy snowfall. However, we cannot inconvenience our customers - the tourists here in Goa - who have to return home. So, an empty flight was sent in from Manchester airport," Kostka said.
"The situation is clearing up and schedules should be normal at Gatwick by Sunday. However, there will be a backlog," he added.
Martin Joseph of Freedom Holidays said two UK charter flights were supposed to arrive on Friday, but, will now arrive on Saturday. "A Monarch flight was supposed to land at 5am on Friday. It is now rescheduled for a 5am arrival on Saturday," he said, adding, "also, a Thomas Cook flight was to arrive at 10 pm on Friday. It has been rescheduled for a 4 am arrival on Saturday." Bush Miranda, airline representative of Condor, said that its weekly flight from Frankfurt saw a minor delay on Tuesday.
04/12/10 Times of India

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Categories: Airports Dec 2010, Foreign Dec 2010