Dense Fog Chaos: Why IndiGo Canceled 80 Flights Across India's Network
Key Points
- 1IndiGo canceled 80 flights across its network on Monday, December 29, due to persistent dense fog.
- 2Half of the 80 IndiGo flight cancellations were concentrated at Delhi airport fog operations, which were running under CAT III conditions.
- 3The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has designated the official winter fog season from December 10 to February 10.
- 4The weather disruptions add to recent operational strain following mass cancellations linked to new flight duty and rest period (FDTL) norms.
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, canceled 80 flights across its network on Monday. The decision was made due to bad weather conditions and persistent dense fog. Nearly half of the IndiGo flight cancellations occurred at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DIAL). The disruptions affected a wide range of cities. These included Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chandigarh.
Operational Impact of Dense Fog
The cancellations are a direct result of the Delhi airport fog and low visibility. The airline issued a travel advisory early Monday. It stated that foggy conditions were in place across northern India. Visibility had not yet fully improved. This impact was expected to extend into the noon hours. The airline assured passengers that movements were being sequenced for safety.
Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) confirmed the situation. Flight operations were continuing under Category III (CAT III) conditions. CAT III is an advanced navigation system. It allows aircraft to land in foggy conditions. DIAL warned that this could still result in flight delays.
DGCA Low Visibility Norms
The aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), declared the official winter fog season. This period runs from December 10 to February 10. Under DGCA's low visibility operations (LVO) norms, airlines must be prepared. They must roster pilots trained for CAT-IIIB operations. They must also deploy CAT-IIIB-compliant aircraft.
- Category-III-A allows landing with a Runway Visual Range (RVR) of 200 meters.
- Category-III-B allows landing with an RVR of under 50 meters.
These stringent requirements ensure safety. However, they also limit the operational capacity of airports.
Compounding Operational Challenges
This latest wave of cancellations follows a challenging period for the carrier. IndiGo has faced repeated disruptions since the fog season began. The airline canceled 67 flights on December 25 due to weather. Another 57 flights were canceled on the preceding Saturday.
These weather-related issues compound earlier, massive operational disruptions. Earlier this month, IndiGo canceled thousands of flights. This included a reported 1,600 flights on a single day. Those cancellations were linked to new, stricter flight duty and rest period (FDTL) norms for pilots.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Pilot Fatigue
The revised FDTL rules were enforced by the DGCA. They mandate longer rest periods for pilots. This includes a 48-hour weekly rest, up from 36 hours. The new rules were implemented to combat pilot fatigue. Fatigue is a significant safety risk, aligning with global standards from bodies like the ICAO.
Many industry experts and pilot associations noted that IndiGo was underprepared. The new rules caused a severe pilot shortage. This led to a government-mandated 10% reduction in the airline's winter schedule. The combination of mandatory crew rest and the annual winter fog season creates a double challenge. It limits the airline's ability to recover from weather-induced delays.
Passengers are advised to check their flight status. They should contact their respective airlines for real-time updates. For broader context on commercial aviation safety and operations, visit our aviation news section.
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