Mumbai’s recently refurbished airport struggled with power failures, protesters and smog in the final weeks of 2007. On November 18th a power outage (one of three in two months) left the runway without lighting for 30 minutes. In early December, airport employees, furious at the suspension of bus services to the airport as a result of ongoing construction work, emptied piles of rubbish in front of the shiny new domestic terminal. Meanwhile, smog-induced delays disrupted many of the 700 flights that pass through India’s busiest airport daily, leaving hordes of irate passengers stranded at various terminals.
— In preparation for traveling to India in January, I’ve made a point to follow its current events. Economist’s city guide newsletter for Mumbai has been particularly helpful. I arrive there on Dec 27th.
