Departure of fuel free aircraft Solar Impulse from Ahmedabad airport has been delayed following inclement weather condition in Gujarat. The solar powered aircraft landed in Ahmedabad airport on last Wednesday and was scheduled to depart on Sunday to its next destination — Varanasi — the only other stopover in India on its around-the-world trip.
According to Ahmedabad airport director RK Singh, due to unseasonal rain and hailstorm in Ahmedabad and north Gujarat region, it was decided to postpone the journey of Solar Impulse for at least a couple of days. “On Monday evening, weather condition will be monitored and if everything would be normal, the solar aircraft will take off for Varanasi by Tuesday afternoon,” said Singh while talking to The Pioneer.
The crew of Solar Impulse took the decision to postpone departure following rain and hailstorm in Ahmedabad on Saturday night. Not only in Ahmedabad but parts of Gujarat witnessed drastic change in weather condition due to western disturbances. People in many parts of the State experience strong winds and heavy rains.
World’s first solar powered aircraft initiated its round-the-world journey from Abu Dhabi to Muscat and reached to Ahmedabad on March 11 after cruising through 15-hour flight. “Our Mission Control Centre (MCC) in Monaco has advised us to take off for Varanasi on Tuesday morning in view of the current inclement weather here but a final decision will be taken on Monday evening only,” a member of the Impulse team said.