Why Did Dense Fog Ground 21 Flights at Chandigarh International Airport?

Dense fog severely disrupted Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport operations on Wednesday. The low visibility led to widespread Chandigarh airport flight cancellations and long delays. A total of 21 flights were cancelled. This included 12 arrivals and 9 departures.

Dense fog disrupts air traffic is a seasonal challenge for northern India. The airport normally starts operations at 5:20 am. However, visibility dropped below 500 meters from 5:00 am to nearly 10:00 am. This prolonged period made take-offs and landings unsafe. The first arriving flight landed at 10:57 am. The first departure took off much later, at 12:50 pm.

Operational Breakdown

Beyond the cancellations, the winter fog aviation disruption caused massive delays. Reports show 19 inbound flights were delayed. These delays ranged from two-and-a-half to seven hours. Additionally, 25 departing flights took off three to seven hours behind schedule. Major carriers like IndiGo were heavily impacted.

Cancelled flights connected Chandigarh to key domestic hubs. Affected cities included Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Passengers faced significant frustration due to the long waiting periods. Airport authorities advised travelers to check their flight delays due to low visibility status. They also asked passengers to arrive well in advance.

Infrastructure Limitations and DGCA Standards

This incident highlighted critical airport operational challenges at the facility. The airport currently uses a CAT-ILS-II (Category II Instrument Landing System) on Runway 29. However, visibility plunged to below 50 meters during the peak fog period.

CAT-ILS-II systems are generally ineffective under such extreme conditions. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) begin when visibility drops below 800 meters. CAT II operations require a Runway Visual Range (RVR) of at least 300 meters. The recorded visibility was far below this minimum.

The Need for CAT-III

Aviation experts stress the airport needs an upgrade to a CAT III B landing system. This technology allows aircraft to land in near-zero visibility conditions. The current absence of CAT-ILS-III limits the airport’s operational reliability. It also restricts prospects for wide-bodied international flights.

Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL) is taking steps to improve capability. An upgraded CAT-ILS-I system was procured. This system is planned for installation on Runway 11 by March. Once operational, it will allow landings with visibility as low as 750 meters. This offers relief during moderate fog. However, it is viewed as only a partial solution. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) continues to advocate for infrastructure investment. This is necessary to ensure reliable operations globally.

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