IAF nod to night take-offs for India Pakistan match at Mohali

India's top corporate bosses and Bollywood stars can heave a sigh of relief as Indian Air force authorities ( IAF) have permitted late night take- offs for their private jets/ chartered flights from the restricted Chandigarh airport.

VIPs and business tycoons will be in the city on Wednesday to watch the high voltage India-Pakistan World Cup semi- final at Mohali.

They will, however, not be allowed to park their aircraft at the defence airport because of limited bays. The private jets will have to drop their passengers, fly back to Delhi, Ambala or Amritsar and pick them up late in the evening.

It was earlier reported that the IAF was “not too happy” about extending night operations to accommodate private flights for the day and night cricketing spectacle. The airport shuts down after 8 pm, but top business tycoons were keen to fly back the same night.

“ As it is an international event, the airport will be open after 8 pm, till the early morning hours. The request for private aircraft/ chartered flights has increased to around 40,” a senior IAF official said.

According to Airport Authority of India / IAF officials, the chartered aircrafts will be accommodated between the slots available to scheduled flights. Business houses which have put in requests include Reliance Group, Jindal and Bhushan Steel.

RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani, along with his family members is expected to be present for the high profile event.