Why Did IndiGo Cancel Flights on December 21 Due to Dense Fog?
Key Points
- 1Over 60 IndiGo flights were cancelled on December 21 due to dense fog and low visibility conditions.
- 2Delhi Airport (IGIA) recorded 97 total flight cancellations and over 200 delays, making it the worst-affected hub.
- 3The DGCA mandates strict Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) when visibility drops below 800 meters, restricting non-CAT III compliant operations.
- 4IndiGo advised passengers to check their flight status and offered rebooking or refund options via its official website.
Dense fog severely impacted dense fog flight operations on December 21. IndiGo was forced to issue a travel advisory. This led to widespread IndiGo flight cancellations across the country. The weather caused major North India air travel disruption for travelers.
Operational Impact
The low visibility severely affected air traffic. Delhi Airport was the most impacted hub. The airport saw 97 total flights cancelled on December 21. This included 48 arrivals and 49 departures. Over 200 services were also significantly delayed. IndiGo reported over 60 IndiGo flight cancellations across its network. These cancellations hit major Indian airports today like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The sudden grounding strained the airline's scheduling.
Regulatory and Safety Measures
Aviation safety is the top priority for all carriers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) enforces strict Low visibility procedures (LVP). LVP are mandatory when visibility drops below 800 meters. Only aircraft and pilots certified for CAT II/III operations can proceed. This regulatory requirement limits the number of flights that can operate. The resulting congestion causes further delays network-wide. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) notes that weather is a primary cause of global delays.
Passenger Advisory and Outlook
IndiGo urged passengers to check their Delhi Airport flight status. They advised travelers to use the airline’s official channels. The airline offered options for passenger rebooking and refunds. This is part of their 'Plan B' policy for affected services. Passengers should allow extra time for airport travel. The fog conditions are a recurring winter challenge. Stakeholders in commercial aviation news watch this closely. Airlines must plan for these seasonal weather events. This includes ensuring more CAT III-certified crews are available.
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