US bomber aircrafts to escort Obama's plane in Mumbai

MUMBAI: Movement of aircraft will not be allowed at the Mumbai airport six minutes before and after the flight carrying US President Barack Obama lands.

"Normally during a VVIP visit, no flight movement is allowed three minutes prior to landing and three minutes post landing. But during Obama's visit, this period may be extended to six minutes before and six minutes after the aircraft lands," airport sources said.

They said that as per the plan so far, no clearances would be granted to any flight either to land or take-off during that period.

Even taxiing of aircraft will not be allowed till the US President's plane has been fully evacuated, they said.

Two US Airforce Jumbos and four helicopters, which have surveillance and bombing capabilities, have already landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport ahead of the VVIP visit.

However, the sources said civil aviation authorities here were yet to receive a formal communication about the American President's flight schedule.

"So far we have not received any formal communication about Obama's flight schedule. We hope to receive it by tomorrow," the sources said.

In the case of such a high level visit, the air traffic control and other related agencies are informed of the flight schedule at least 24 to 48 hours in advance, they added.