Persistent Dense Fog Disrupts Flights at Delhi Airport for Third Consecutive Day

The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in Delhi continues to grapple with dense fog, leading to delays in both arrivals and departures for approximately 30 flights. The airport's Flight Information Display System data revealed the impact of the dense fog, reducing visibility to nearly zero. Passengers were alerted about potential delays, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by the aviation sector due to adverse weather conditions.

In an official statement, Delhi airport officials acknowledged the inconvenience, stating, "Delhi airport is experiencing delays in both arrivals and departures for about 30 flights, including international, due to dense fog." The situation prompted the issuance of an advisory, indicating that while landings and takeoffs were ongoing, flights not compliant with CAT III (Category III) standards might be affected. CAT III is an anti-fog landing system crucial for ensuring safe operations during poor visibility.

The advisory urged passengers to contact their respective airlines for updated flight information and expressed regret for any inconvenience caused. On Monday, eight flights were diverted from Delhi airport, with seven rerouted to Jaipur and one to Ahmedabad between 6 am and 9 am.

Kind attention to all flyers!#Fog #FogAlert #DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/FJDGPhyLmj — Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) December 26, 2023

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the foggy conditions are expected to persist in the national capital until December 28. Further, the IMD forecasts foggy weather from December 29 to December 30, with a likely dip in minimum temperatures during this period.

Beyond Delhi, the IMD reported very dense fog in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, East Uttar Pradesh, West Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. Moderate fog was observed in isolated pockets of West Uttar Pradesh, while shallow fog affected isolated areas in Chandigarh, Bihar, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Tripura on Monday morning.

As the dense fog continues to impact air travel, passengers are advised to stay updated with their airlines for real-time information and brace for potential disruptions in the coming days.