Why did Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX 8 return twice from fog-hit Lucknow?

An Air India Express flight from Delhi to Lucknow was forced to return to the capital city on two separate mornings. The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, could not land due to extremely poor visibility at Lucknow Airport (LKO). This incident highlights the significant challenges of winter fog flight delays in North India.

Repeated Diversions Due to Low Visibility

Flight IX2171 faced disruptions on both January 2 and January 4. Over these two days, the aircraft spent a combined 171 minutes airborne near Lucknow. It circled the airport a total of 28 times before the crew decided to return to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).

Key Details of the Incidents

On January 4, the flight arrived over Lucknow at 6:42 AM. Dense fog had reduced the Runway Visual Range (RVR) to just 125 meters.

This RVR measurement was far below the minimum required for a safe landing. The pilots held the aircraft in a circular pattern for 78 minutes, hoping for conditions to improve.

When the dense fog refused to lift, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was forced to divert back to Delhi. A similar scenario unfolded on January 2. The same flight circled the airport 17 times over 93 minutes before returning to Delhi.

Regulatory Context and Operational Impact

The diversions underscore the strict safety protocols governing low-visibility operations (LVO). Aviation in India is regulated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The DGCA mandates a minimum RVR for aircraft landings. For the January 4 incident, the reported RVR of 125 meters was below the DGCA-mandated minimum of 150 meters for safe landing.

Modern commercial aircraft like the 737 MAX are often equipped for Category III (CAT-III) operations. CAT-III systems allow landings in very low visibility. CAT-IIIB, for example, permits landings with an RVR as low as 50 meters.

However, the airport must also be certified for these advanced operations. Furthermore, the flight crew must be specifically trained and rostered for CAT-III landings. North India's winter fog season is officially designated by the DGCA. This period runs from December 10 to February 10.

This recurring weather pattern causes significant disruption. It affects flight schedules and passenger operations across the region. Other flights at Lucknow Airport also experienced delays that morning.

For the airline, repeated holding and diversions increase operational costs. These costs include extra fuel burn and crew duty time extensions. The incidents also highlight the need for robust contingency planning. This planning is essential for managing air travel disruption during peak fog season. For more on commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.

Passenger and Industry Takeaways

• 28 circles over Lucknow Airport across two days demonstrate the severity of the fog and the pilots' adherence to safety protocols.
• The DGCA minimum visibility rule of 150 meters RVR was the critical factor in the diversion decision.
• Air India Express and other carriers must ensure CAT-III compliance for aircraft and crew. This is vital for maintaining schedules during the winter fog window.
• The use of a holding pattern is a standard LVO procedure. It allows time for RVR to potentially increase to the required minimum.