Passengers who were stranded in Chennai rescued in an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft and brought to Begumpet Air Force Station in Hyderabad on December 3 (Associated Press photo)
With Chennai being virtually "cut off" for three days now in terms of air connectivity, the civil aviation ministry has put in a contingency
plan to operate limited commercial flights today and tomorrow.
"We want to appeal to everyone that these flights are meant only for those in dire need to get out or into the city," Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma told NDTV.
Seven flights will be operated today by Air India, Spicejet, Indigo and regional airline, True Jet.
Passengers can find out details such as timings, destination by checking out the official website of India's aviation regulator, the Director General of Civil Aviation.
Concessional fares of Rs 1,000 per ticket would be charged for flights within south India and Rs. 2,000 for flights to north India.
Passengers with no check in baggage would be allowed on flight, said Civil Aviation Secretary Rajeev Nayan Chaube. Fliers must also carry identity proof as Arakonam naval base airport -- about 40 km from Chennai -- is a high security zone.
"We don't have scanning machines there and that's why it won't be possible to scan luggage. Also our priority is not to disturb the relief and rescue flights. So we will slot these limited commercial flights as per Navy's convenience," said Mr Chaube.
"Indian Railways would be running shuttle trains every 45 minutes from Chennai city to Arakonam to ferry the passengers," he added.