Why Delhi Airport Flight Operations Face Delays Amid CAT III Fog

Dense fog and reduced visibility severely impacted Delhi Airport flight operations early Tuesday morning. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) issued multiple advisories.

Low Visibility Procedures Activated

DIAL confirmed that Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) were in effect. The first advisory at 4:00 am stated operations were normal. However, a 6:00 am update warned of possible delays and disruptions. This was due to the prevailing dense fog reduced visibility across the capital.

The airport confirmed operations were running under CAT III flight conditions. This status enables equipped aircraft to land in extremely low visibility. Despite this advanced capability, delays are common due to safety protocols. Constraints include increased spacing between aircraft and slow ground handling.

Initial reports indicated ten flights were cancelled for the day. This included six arriving and four departing services. Passengers were strongly advised to check with their respective airlines for updates. The disruptions also affected regional train services, causing widespread travel inconvenience.

Context of Recurring Disruptions

This is a recurring issue during the winter season in North India. The DGCA fog season is officially declared from December 10 to February 10. Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is the country’s largest aviation hub. It typically manages about 1,300 flights daily.

Disruptions were substantial on the preceding Monday. More than 500 flights were delayed, and 14 flights were cancelled. Flight tracking data showed the average delay time was over 30 minutes. This highlights the scale of the adverse weather impact.

Understanding CAT III Operations

CAT III flight conditions are part of the Instrument Landing System (ILS). They permit landings with a Runway Visual Range (RVR) as low as 50 meters (CAT III B). IGIA has all four runways certified for CAT III compliance.

However, aviation safety protocols still limit full capacity. Take-offs require a higher minimum RVR of 125 meters. This often forces cancellations even when landings are technically possible. Furthermore, not all flight crews are certified for CAT III operations. This lack of qualified pilots can also lead to delays and diversions.

To mitigate impact, the DGCA mandates contingency plans. Airlines like IndiGo and Air India have issued travel advisories. They are prioritizing passenger support and offering refunds or rescheduling. For the latest commercial aviation news on this and other regional issues, visit flying.flights.