Heavy fog wreaked havoc at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Tuesday morning, creating massive travel disruptions for thousands of passengers. The dense fog blanket significantly reduced visibility, forcing authorities to implement operational restrictions that affected both departures and arrivals.
Morning Chaos at Terminal
The situation began deteriorating around 5:30 AM on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, when visibility dropped dramatically below safe operational limits. More than 92 flights experienced significant delays throughout the morning hours, with both domestic and international services affected. Passengers faced uncertainty as airport displays showed cascading delays across multiple airlines.
Several flights scheduled for early morning takeoff remained grounded until visibility improved. The airport authority issued regular updates through their official social media channels, advising passengers to check with their respective airlines before heading to the airport. Long queues formed at airline counters as travelers sought information about revised schedules.
Operational Challenges and Passenger Impact
The reduced visibility posed serious challenges for flight operations, particularly during the critical 5:30 AM to 8:30 AM window when fog conditions were most severe. Airport authorities implemented low visibility protocols, which included increased spacing between aircraft movements and slower ground handling operations.
Many passengers took to social media to share their experiences, with some reporting delays exceeding three hours. The airport lounges and waiting areas became crowded as the disruption continued through the morning peak travel period. Both IndiGo and Air India issued travel advisories, acknowledging the weather-related disruptions and offering flexibility for affected passengers.
Gradual Normalization and Future Precautions
By late morning, around 10:30 AM, conditions began improving as the fog started lifting. Flight operations gradually returned to normal, though the ripple effects of the morning disruption continued throughout the day. Airport authorities worked closely with airlines to minimize the cascading impact on subsequent flights.
This incident highlights the increasing challenge of fog disruptions during Bengaluru's winter months. Kempegowda International Airport has implemented Category III Instrument Landing System that allows aircraft to land in lower visibility conditions, but the severity of Tuesday's fog exceeded even these advanced systems' capabilities for certain aircraft types.
Meteorological department officials indicated that such fog conditions might persist intermittently through January, advising early morning travelers to anticipate potential delays and plan accordingly. Airlines have been asked to adjust their schedules and keep passengers informed about weather-related changes.
