Dense Fog Grounds Six Flights at Srinagar Airport, Disrupting Air India and IndiGo Services
Key Points
- 1Six flights were cancelled at Srinagar Airport (SXR) on December 31, affecting Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet services.
- 2The cancellations were primarily due to adverse weather (dense fog), with one SpiceJet flight cancelled for operational reasons.
- 3The disruption is part of a wider trend, with Delhi Airport (DEL) reporting over 118 cancellations and 200 delays on the preceding day due to fog.
- 4The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued an advisory, urging passengers to track flight status and allow extra time for travel.
Six flights were cancelled at Srinagar Airport (SXR) on Wednesday. The cancellations were due to adverse weather and operational issues, airport authorities confirmed. The affected services included one IndiGo flight, three Air India flights, and one Air India Express flight, all cancelled due to weather. A single SpiceJet service was cancelled for operational reasons.
This disruption is part of a wider issue. Dense fog is prevailing across Northern India. This low visibility significantly affects air travel operations. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a public advisory. They asked passengers to track flight status closely.
Widespread Air Travel Disruption
The fog conditions have created a cascading effect. Flight operations at major hubs like Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) were also severely impacted. On Tuesday, approximately 60 arrivals and 58 departures were cancelled at DEL. Additionally, 16 flights bound for Delhi were diverted to other cities. The severe weather has led to numerous Northern India air travel disruption events.
One specific Air India Express flight, IX 1271/1272, was cancelled. This was due to anticipated adverse weather at Jammu (IXJ). The combination of weather and operational factors is challenging for airlines. Carriers like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet must adjust schedules quickly.
Regulatory and Industry Response
The aviation industry manages fog using specific protocols. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) governs Low Visibility Procedures (LVP). These procedures are critical for safety during fog. Airports with advanced systems use CAT III Instrument Landing Systems (ILS). This allows aircraft to operate in very low visibility. However, not all aircraft or pilots are CAT III compliant. This non-compliance contributes to delays and cancellations.
AAI teams are on the ground at affected airports. They are assisting passengers and working to ensure safe operations. The AAI advised travelers to arrive at the airport earlier than usual.
- Passengers must reconfirm their flight status with the concerned airline.
- Airlines are instructed to comply with passenger facilitation norms.
- This includes offering timely information, meals, rebooking, or refunds.
This period of dense fog Northern India presents a major logistical challenge. It highlights the need for robust winter flight schedule changes and contingency planning. For more updates on commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.
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