Dense Fog Forces Delhi Airport to CAT III Operations; IndiGo Issues Travel Advisory

Severe winter weather and dense fog have once again caused widespread flight disruptions across North India. This comes as the region continues to experience a bitter cold wave. Major carriers, including IndiGo, issued advisories to passengers.

Low Visibility Halts Air Travel

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport woke up to thick fog on Tuesday morning. This severely reduced visibility for early flights. The airport swiftly implemented Low Visibility Procedures (LVP). This is a standard safety measure.

Airport authorities confirmed that operations were running under Category III (CAT III) conditions. This highly technical procedure allows landings with extremely low Runway Visual Range (RVR). However, it significantly slows down the movement of aircraft.

Arrivals and departures continued, but many flights faced delays or cancellations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandates that airlines must use CAT-IIIB-compliant aircraft and pilots for such operations. The DGCA has designated the period from December 10 to February 10 as the official fog window. This highlights the seasonal challenge for Indian aviation.

IndiGo Issues Multi-City Alert

IndiGo, India’s largest airline, released a travel advisory on social media. The airline warned that low visibility conditions were affecting flight schedules across a wide area.

• Affected cities include Delhi, Amritsar, Bhopal, and Chandigarh.
• Operations in Guwahati, Varanasi, Ranchi, and Hindon (Airport) were also impacted.
• The airline urged passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

This widespread impact underscores the ripple effect of weather on the national air traffic network. Delays at one hub like Delhi can quickly affect the entire schedule.

Air Quality and Cold Wave Conditions

Compounding the visibility issues is the region's deteriorating air quality. The fog often mixes with pollutants, creating a dangerous smog layer. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was reported at 180, classified as 'moderate'.

However, localized readings were far worse, reaching 366 in some areas. This level is categorized as 'very harmful' or 'very poor.' The combination of cold wave and smog traps particulate matter close to the ground. This further reduces the visibility required for safe aviation operations.

IMD Forecast and Stakeholder Impact

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts persistent dense to very dense fog. This is expected to continue over parts of North, Central, and East India for the coming days. Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh are specifically forecast to remain under foggy conditions until January 10.

For passengers, this means potential long waiting times and schedule changes. For airlines, it presents a significant operational challenge. They must manage crew duty times and aircraft rotation while prioritizing safety under strict DGCA guidelines. The ability of airports to maintain CAT III operations is crucial for minimizing the economic impact of these seasonal disruptions on commercial aviation news, as reported by https://flying.flights.