Delhi Fog Crisis: Why 4,000+ Flights Were Disrupted at IGI Airport

Dense fog has severely impacted North India aviation operations for seven consecutive days. The persistent weather caused widespread Delhi fog flight disruptions. Over 4,000 flights were disrupted in the past week at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). On Sunday alone, more than 100 flights were cancelled. Additionally, over 500 flights faced significant flight cancellations and delays. Rail services were also affected, with over 50 trains running late.

Aviation Operations Under Low Visibility Procedures

IGI Airport initiated low visibility procedures (LVP) due to the dense fog. Visibility dropped to 200 meters at Safdarjung on Sunday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies this as “dense” fog.

Major carriers like IndiGo and Air India reported the largest share of cancellations. Airlines issued advisories urging passengers to check flight status. The airport, one of the country’s largest, typically handles around 1,300 daily flights. This high volume makes it highly vulnerable to weather-related delays.

Regulatory Response and Passenger Impact

The Ministry of Civil Aviation directed airlines to strictly comply with DGCA passenger facilitation norms. The DGCA was tasked with monitoring compliance. These rules mandate providing timely information and assistance. This includes meals for extended delays and rebooking or refunds for cancellations.

Passenger Rights: Flyers are entitled to timely updates and support during disruptions.
Safety First: Low visibility procedures ensure aircraft can operate safely under CAT III conditions.
Wider Impact: Delays ranged from 30 minutes to over six hours for train services.

Weather Analysis and Outlook

The prolonged fog is linked to an active Western Disturbance weather system. This system also brought fresh snowfall to the Himalayas. The weather system is expected to weaken and move eastward by Tuesday. This may gradually reduce the fog intensity.

However, air quality remains a concern across the northern plains. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded in the “very poor” category. Weather experts suggest that intermittent fog may still persist. Renewed spells of dense fog are possible in January. This could lead to further air and rail travel chaos in the new year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is the fog lasting so long?

The persistent fog is due to an active Western Disturbance weather system. This system causes sustained cloudiness and low temperatures. The lack of strong winds also prevents pollutant dispersal.

What are Low Visibility Procedures?

Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) are actions taken by air traffic control. They ensure safe aircraft movement when visibility is severely reduced. This often involves using advanced navigation systems, like CAT III.