Severe Fog Blankets Delhi’s Skies, Disrupting Air Travel
In a chilling turn of events, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport witnessed significant disruptions in flight operations due to thick fog, causing chaos for both passengers and airlines.
Why is there fog in Delhi?
Over the last three days, the national capital has experienced severe cold, hitting the lowest minimum temperature of the winter season on Sunday. The dense fog enveloping the city led to near-zero visibility at the airport between 4 am and 10 am, resulting in the diversion of 10 flights and over 100 delays.
The Fog’s Grip on Delhi Airport
Officials, as reported by the news agency PTI, revealed that the low visibility caused by the dense fog forced the diversion of about 10 flights, while over 100 faced delays. During the critical period of 4 am to 10 am, only 15 arrivals occurred, with no flight departures. Typically, the airport manages around 60 departures and arrivals per hour under normal weather conditions. The intensity of the fog was so severe that it prevented any flight departures during this six-hour window.
“Visibility at Indira Gandhi International Airport was nearly zero between 4 am and 10 am, resulting in no flight departures and only 15 arrivals during that period,” said PTI, citing reliable sources.
The disruption was exacerbated by the fact that pilots on the affected flights were not trained for Category III (CAT III) landings, prompting the diversions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that this season’s dense fog has been the longest duration experienced so far.
Impact on Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, Akasa Air
IndiGo Airlines
IndiGo Airlines, in an official statement, acknowledged the adverse impact of low visibility and dense fog conditions on their flight operations. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers and assured that their staff kept passengers informed about all delays and cancellations across airports.
Air India
Air India, specifically affected by flight AI 185 to Vancouver, faced rescheduling due to the dense fog. Passengers on this flight experienced prolonged waiting times before deboarding, and the departure was eventually rescheduled for around 11.30 pm. Affected passengers were provided with accommodation in light of the rescheduled departure.
Vistara and Akasa Air
Vistara and Akasa Air also addressed the impact of dense fog on their operations. Vistara communicated potential disruptions in arrivals and departures from Delhi due to poor visibility. Akasa Air highlighted adverse weather conditions in various cities, including Delhi, Chennai, Varanasi, Bagdogra, and Lucknow, leading to affected flight schedules and consequential delays.
“Akasa Air specifically communicated flight cancellations in Varanasi, including Bengaluru-Varanasi, Varanasi-Mumbai, Mumbai-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Bengaluru,” stated the airline in posts at 12.12 pm and 1.35 pm.
Fog Continues to Disrupt: Weather Department’s Alert
As bone-chilling temperatures persist, the weather department issued an alert predicting that dense fog is likely to endure in isolated pockets of northwest India for the next three to four days. The IMD urged caution, particularly on highways, advising drivers to use fog lights and, in some cases, halt journeys until fog conditions improve.
“Very dense fog extends over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, North Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Passengers on highways need to drive extremely carefully and only with fog lights,” cautioned the IMD.
As the fog continues to pose challenges, passengers are advised to stay informed about potential disruptions and plan their travel accordingly. The relentless grip of winter fog has left Delhi’s skies in uncertainty, impacting not only immediate travel plans but also creating a ripple effect on airline schedules. Stay tuned for updates on the evolving situation as foggy conditions persist over the next few days.