Dense fog blanketed the national capital on Monday morning, severely crippling flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. The sudden drop in visibility led to widespread disruption, causing significant inconvenience to thousands of air travelers.
Flight Operations Grind to a Halt
The foggy conditions, which intensified in the early hours, had an immediate impact. At least 10 flights were cancelled as airlines struggled to manage schedules. The disruption was far more extensive for departures and arrivals, with over 100 flights experiencing delays. The airport authorities were forced to implement low visibility procedures, slowing down all movement on the airfield.
Passengers faced long hours of uncertainty, with many stranded inside terminals waiting for updates. Airlines made announcements advising travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. The situation created a cascading effect, disrupting flight networks across the country as aircraft and crews were left out of position.
Passenger Woes and Airport Response
The scene at the airport terminals was one of frustration and confusion. Long queues formed at airline help desks as people sought information on rescheduled flights or refunds. Social media was flooded with complaints from passengers detailing their ordeal.
Airport officials stated that they were closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for weather updates. They assured that all standard operating procedures for such low-visibility conditions were being followed to ensure safety. However, the sheer intensity of the fog made normal operations impossible for a prolonged period.
A Recurring Winter Challenge
This incident highlights a persistent operational challenge for Delhi's IGI Airport during the winter months. Fog is a common meteorological phenomenon in North India from December to January, often leading to similar disruptions annually. While airports have advanced instrument landing systems to aid pilots in low visibility, operations are significantly throttled, leading to backups and cancellations.
The disruption serves as a reminder for passengers traveling in winter to factor in potential weather-related delays, especially for morning flights which are most susceptible. Airlines also face the tough task of managing logistics and communicating effectively with passengers during such crises.
As the day progressed, visibility conditions were expected to improve, allowing operations to gradually return to normal. However, the backlog of delayed flights meant that the ripple effects of the morning's paralysis were likely to be felt throughout the day.
