Dense fog blanketing Delhi on Monday morning triggered significant flight disruptions from Pune airport, casting a shadow over New Year's travel plans. The adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of at least one flight and moderate delays for a dozen others, leaving passengers bound for northern Indian cities in a state of anxiety.
Flight Cancellations and Passenger Woes
An Air India flight, AI 797, was officially cancelled. The service was scheduled to depart from Delhi at 5:45 AM and arrive in Pune at 7:55 AM. The airline attributed the cancellation directly to the bad weather, which severely reduced visibility in the national capital. This decision upended the plans of many, including Ashish Singh, who was traveling to Pune for a crucial business meeting. While he acknowledged receiving a full refund from the airline, Singh expressed his disappointment, stating that his entire plan had been thrown into disarray, though he noted that in such situations, blaming anyone was difficult.
Widespread Delays and Traveler Anxiety
The ripple effects of the fog were felt throughout the day. At least 12 arriving flights, primarily originating from Delhi, were delayed by between 30 minutes to over an hour during the peak morning window from 7 AM to 11 AM. The cascading impact of these delays persisted well into the afternoon, affecting multiple flight schedules. The disruption was not limited to Delhi-bound flights; services to and from other north and north-eastern cities like Lucknow, Patna, and Kolkata also experienced moderate delays.
The uncertainty has caused considerable stress for passengers with upcoming travel. Deepa Sharma, a working professional with an early morning flight to Delhi on Tuesday, spent Monday constantly checking for updates, worried that any disruption would ruin her plans. She regretted booking a morning flight. Similarly, Srijit Nag from Wakad, who is slated to fly from Pune to Kolkata late at night, remained restless, knowing that fog conditions typically begin in the early hours and could still impact his journey.
Airport Advisory and Proactive Measures
Anticipating the trouble, Pune airport authorities issued a weather advisory on Sunday evening. The advisory clearly warned passengers that flight operations could be impacted due to the dense fog conditions across parts of north India. It strongly advised travelers to stay in contact with their respective airlines for the latest flight information before heading to the airport. This proactive communication aimed to mitigate inconvenience, though the scale of the disruption still led to chaotic scenes and anxious waits for many.
As the year draws to a close, the incident highlights the vulnerability of air travel to winter weather in northern India, prompting flyers to factor in potential delays while making their holiday plans.
