Pongal travel rush leaves Chennai flyers stranded

Passengers planning to fly from Chennai to southern districts for the Pongal fes tival faced widespread dis ruption after seats on all fli ghts to key destinations were sold out, leaving many unable to travel by air at a time tra ditionally marked by heavy family movement.

- HD Bureau

With the harvest festival drawing cl oser, travellers from Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Thoot hu kudi, Coimbatore and Salem who live and work in Chennai began arriving at the city’s airport days ahead of the holiday period, hoping to secure last-minute tickets. Instead, airline counters and online booking portals sh owed no availability on direct services to these destinations, prompting frustration and anxiety among families keen to reunite for the festival.