Red Alert Fog Blinds Delhi Airport: 118+ Flights Cancelled, CAT III in Effect
Key Points
- 1IMD issued a 'red' alert for dense fog, signaling severe low visibility in Delhi and Northern India.
- 2The disruption led to at least 128 flight cancellations, 8 diversions, and hundreds of delays at IGI Airport on Monday.
- 3Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet issued formal travel advisories urging passengers to check flight status and expect disruptions.
- 4Airport operations are running under Category III (CAT III) low-visibility protocols, which significantly slow down take-offs and landings.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'red' alert for dense fog. This severe weather continues to disrupt flight operations across Northern India. Major carriers, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, have issued urgent airline travel advisories.
Widespread Flight Disruptions
Visibility dropped sharply at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi. On Monday, visibility plunged to as low as 50 meters in the morning hours. This triggered widespread chaos across the air network. At least 128 flights were cancelled due to the poor weather conditions. Additionally, eight flights were diverted to alternate airports. Hundreds of other services faced significant delays.
Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed the Delhi airport disruption. They advised all passengers to check flight status. Travelers should also allow extra time for check-in procedures. The IMD's 'red' alert signals that extremely low visibility conditions will likely persist. This is expected to continue through Tuesday afternoon.
Operational Impact and Safety Protocols
Runway operations at IGI Airport were managed under Category III (CAT III) protocols. This is a special procedure for low visibility conditions. CAT III allows suitably equipped aircraft to land. This is possible even when the Runway Visual Range (RVR) is very low. However, take-offs and landings slow down significantly. Not all aircraft or pilots are certified for CAT III operations. This compliance gap is a primary cause for diversions and flight cancellations diversions.
Delhi is one of only six major airports in India certified for CAT III operations. Other certified airports include Lucknow, Jaipur, Amritsar, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. The winter fog season typically runs from December to February. This period consistently tests the operational resilience of the region's air traffic control.
Airline and Regulatory Response
Airlines moved quickly to inform customers of the ongoing situation. IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, warned of reduced visibility. Their advisory specifically named Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jammu, Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, and Hindon Airport. IndiGo recommended passengers check their latest flight status. They also offered options for rebooking or claiming a refund.
Air India cautioned that the dense fog would have a cascading impact across its entire network. Disruptions at Delhi (DEL) affect connecting flights nationwide. SpiceJet also advised passengers of potential flight disruptions due to the bad weather.
DGCA and Passenger Facilitation
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the country's aviation regulator. They have designated a specific fog window for the winter season. The DGCA has instructed airlines to strictly follow passenger facilitation norms. These rules mandate timely updates and assistance for affected travelers. This is part of the broader effort to manage Northern India air travel challenges. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has also activated a 24x7 control room to address passenger issues promptly. For more information on this and other commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.
- Check Status: Always confirm your flight status before leaving for the airport.
- Plan Ahead: Allow significant extra time for airport arrival and check-in.
- Know Your Rights: Airlines must offer refunds or rebooking for cancelled flights.
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