Plane with Andhra chief minister hovers in air for 30 minutes

Sep 15, 2011 |

IANS

Hyderabad

Tags:

Kiran Kumar Reddy

An aircraft with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on board hovered in the air for over 30 minutes due to poor weather before landing safely in Rajahmundry, about 400 km from here.

The Kingfisher Airlines aircraft carrying 65 passengers, including the chief minister, did not get landing clearance from the air traffic control (ATC) at Madhurapudi airport in Rajahmundry due to poor visibility, airport officials said.

The Hyderabad-Rajahmundry flight, which was scheduled to land at 10.30 a.m., circled over the area, causing anxiety to officials and leaders of the ruling Congress party waiting for the chief minister.

At one stage, authorities were even planning to divert the aircraft to Gannavaram airport near Vijayawada. They, however, heaved a sigh of relief after the aircraft got ground clearance for landing at Rajahmundry.

"There was some anxiety as the flight could not land for some time," the chief minister told reporters at Madhurapudi airport.

He later left for neighbouring West Godavari district by helicopter for a daylong visit.

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