Air Force clarifies why it turned down Rahul Gandhi's request

The Air Force has said it stands by a decision taken by its pilot who refused to  fly Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Kokhrajhar to Guwahati last evening on account of bad weather.

Here's the statement issued by the Indian Air Force:

An  IAF heptr was detailed to ferry Shri Tarun Gogoi, Hon'ble Chief Minister of  Assam and Shri Rahul Gandhi, Hon'ble Member of Parliament to  Dubri, Chirang and Kokrajhar. The last leg was planned from Kokrajhar to Guwahati around 1700 h.  The weather at Guwahati was reported as continuous rain, lightning and thundershowers, with two Cumulo-Nimbus (CB) cells overhead and in the vicinity of the airfield. The Civil Met Deptt at Guwahati had also issued a weather warning at 1700 h for rain and thundershowers with winds gusting to 20 kts (36 kmph). The weather at diversionary airfield Hasimara and enroute from Kokrahar to Guwahati was also overcast with low clouds and wide spread rain patches.

Based on the prevailing weather and approaching sunset, the pilot taking the safety of the VIP as being paramount, arrived at the decision that it was unsafe to undertake the flight. The Pilot's decision was taken using his professional judgment in the interest of safety of aircraft and its occupants. IAF strongly stands by the decision of the pilot, since Flight Safety and the Safety of the VIPs on board are considered paramount.

The heptr has still not been able to return to Guwahati due to continuing bad weather.

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