The severe fog conditions heavily disrupted flight services in the national capital on Monday, causing the cancellation of more than 120 flights at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Very thick fog had enveloped the entire region, including the national capital, Delhi, during the early morning hours, making the visibility zero.
The officials at the Indira Gandhi International Airport confirmed that the domestic as well as international flights were operational, with the arrivals and departure times facing cancellation, diversion, and delays. Aircraft were also diverted to landing sites such as Jaipur and Lucknow, as the landing conditions were not safe because of the low visibility.
Morning Disruptions
The most adverse effect was noticed during the early morning window between 4 am and 9 am, where the levels of visibility significantly reduced in the Delhi-NCR area. Airlines had to cancel their flights as the level of visibility went below the threshold necessary for air operations, especially for planes that do not have advanced landing aid systems.
Airport officials reported that while some flights gradually resumed their operations when visibility improved, the ripple effect triggered by the cancellations at the initial stages caused flights to be delayed the whole day. Passengers were encouraged to check the status of flights before going to the airport.
Airlines Post Advisories
The major airlines have released travel notices admitting and advising passengers to be patient with the inconveniences being experienced through bookings being affected by weather conditions beyond their control and have also promised support through refund and assistance options.
The airport’s ground staff and the help desks of the airlines saw heavy footfall, with passengers inquiring about cancellation and rescheduled flights. Though the airport authority had increased the staffers to cope with the crowd, there were lines observed in some of the airports because of delayed flights.
Role of Weather Conditions
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the level of fog in the Delhi region has been the result of low temperatures along with a high level of atmospheric moisture. In addition, the IMD has also pointed out the absence of wind movement. As a result, the IMD has issued a “Red Alert” saying that the visibility will be seriously reduced.
The meteorologists reported that this weather phenomenon is predominant during the peak winter seasons, but its intensity has been higher this time and has been interrupting flights continuously.
Limitations of Technology and Safety First
Although the Indian Giant airline operates its international airport with the most advanced CAT III Instrument Landing System at the main runways, allowing planes to approach and land at very low visibility, not all planes and pilots have the capability to do so. Because of this, some aircraft have had their flights cancelled or delayed, even with the latest runway facility.
“Safety comes first when it comes to fog,” said aviation specialists. “Despite the latest technologies, the situation largely depends on the aircraft’s capability, the pilot’s skills, and the assessment of visibility at any given moment,” added an aviation analyst.
Impact on Passengers
For the commuters, there was waiting time, missed flights, and rescheduling flights. Many air passengers complained of the uncertainty of continued flights, while business air travelers complained of the frequent winter cancellations in Delhi airport terminals.
“I had arrived at the airport early, only to find that my flights had been cancelled because of fog. The airline had to reschedule my flights, which resulted in my reaching Mumbai a day late,” said a passenger.
Hotels near the airport reported a slight rise in last-minute bookings by passengers who found themselves delayed.
Gradual Improvement Expected
The airport administration has confirmed that air operations are expected to resume normally as the conditions of visibility improve later in the day. However, passengers have been advised to be cautious for the next few days as conditions of fog are expected to continue in early morning periods. As winter weather persists in North India, all concerned are on their toes to limit the disruptions while ensuring safety for the air commuters. The frequent flight cancellations owing to dense fog have again drawn attention to the challenges of air transportation during the winters in the national capital.
