However, having rid the plane of the swarming insects a second plane was enveloped by bees, at 8am the following morning. Bound for Port Blair in the Andman islands, the next plane operated by Vistara was found to be covered in insects as it left the hangar on bay 25, where ground staff suspect the insects were sheltering.
The water cannons were again wheeled out to rid the plane of insects, which was a slightly more difficult process given the cargo doors had been opened for loading. The plane ultimately departed at 11.30, an hour behind schedule.
Bees are becoming a nuisance at the busy regional airport. In September last year a swarm held up an Air India flight bound for Agartala, and there were two incidents in 2012. However swarms have never been so close together, just 16 hours apart.
Pilots and crew dare not attempt to take off with insects on the body of the plane. Interference with instruments and airspeed indicators could give false readings which would be catastrophic.
It is not clear whether this second incident was the same swam or if the airport is on the flight path of migrating bees.
