Short Description
Dense fog at Delhi airport led to the cancellation of 228 flights and severe delays, impacting travel plans and highlighting the challenges of winter weather on aviation.
Read Time
3 minutes and 45 seconds
Main Article
In New Delhi, the onset of winter brought with it a thick blanket of fog, resulting in chaos at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). On Monday, visibility plunged to an alarming zero as early as 12:30 AM, creating significant disruptions in flight operations. With visibility under 100 meters from 4 AM to 9 AM, the airport experienced a staggering 228 flight cancellations, including 131 departures and 97 arrivals. Over 800 flights were delayed, a situation exacerbated by five flights being diverted to other airports due to the severe weather conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a sharp decline in visibility starting Sunday night, with measurements falling to just 150 meters by 11:30 PM. This situation is not uncommon in winter months, where thick fog can severely interrupt travel plans, especially in northern India. The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that the ripple effects of these delays persisted even after visibility began to improve around noon, with trains also running late as a direct consequence.
Flight operations at IGI could initiate low-visibility procedures when visibility dipped to 50 meters, thus underlining the critical role of trained pilots. Those skilled in Category III (CAT III) procedures could land under such conditions, while others faced unavoidable holds on the taxiway, leading to even longer waiting times. IndiGo and Air India, two of the country’s major airlines, reported that many delays were not only due to the fog but also because of adverse weather conditions at origin airports—an issue that further complicated travel schedules.
As travelers faced cancellations and delays, the civil aviation authorities urged passengers to remain in touch with their airlines for real-time flight updates. Furthermore, travelers were advised to regularly check airport and airline websites to plan for additional travel time. This incident has amplified the discourse surrounding winter travel in India, spotlighting the need for better preparedness and enhanced airport operations amid challenging weather conditions.
Short Summary
The recent dense fog in New Delhi caused significant disruptions at IGI Airport, leading to the cancellation of 228 flights and delays impacting hundreds more. This incident highlights the operational challenges airlines face during winter months and underscores the importance of monitoring weather conditions for safer travel.
