Air travel chaos gripped India for a second consecutive day on Monday, with hundreds of flights cancelled and major disruptions expected to spill over into Tuesday. The primary culprit is dense fog blanketing large parts of northern India, severely reducing visibility at key airports like Delhi.
Massive Flight Cancellations and Operational Havoc
The scale of disruption is significant. On Monday, a total of 116 flights were cancelled, with the majority attributed to adverse weather conditions and a handful due to operational issues. The trouble is far from over. Data from IndiGo reveals that 59 flights scheduled for Tuesday, December 30, have already been axed, signaling another difficult day for passengers.
Authorities had issued warnings in anticipation. The Ministry of Civil Aviation released an advisory alerting travelers about potential delays. "Due to fog conditions across parts of Northern India, flight operations at select airports may be impacted," the advisory stated. It urged passengers to monitor official airline channels, allocate extra time for airport procedures, and plan their journeys carefully.
Airlines Scramble with Advisories and "FogCare"
Airlines are actively communicating with flyers to manage the crisis. Air India issued a detailed statement, noting that weather forecasts predict continued dense fog on Tuesday morning, drastically cutting visibility in Delhi and the northern region. "This will affect flight schedules to and from Delhi with cascading effects likely across our network," the airline explained.
In an effort to mitigate passenger inconvenience, Air India highlighted its "FogCare" initiative. The airline assured that ground teams are stationed at key airport points to assist travelers facing unexpected delays, diversions, or cancellations. "We understand how frustrating such disruption to travel plans can be and are making every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience," the statement read.
The Role of CAT-IIIB in Fog Operations
During such severe fog, aviation regulations come into sharp focus. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandates strict CAT-IIIB fog operation norms. Under these rules, airlines must roster pilots specifically trained for low-visibility landings and use aircraft equipped to meet CAT-IIIB standards.
This system is crucial for operations in poor weather. Category-III is an advanced instrument landing system. Specifically, Category-III-B allows aircraft to land even when the runway visual range (RVR) falls below 50 metres, a critical capability during the intense fog currently affecting north India.
As the fog persists, passengers are caught in a wave of uncertainty. The recurring disruptions highlight the annual challenge Indian aviation faces during the winter months, with travelers bearing the brunt of delayed and cancelled plans while airlines and authorities work within the limits of technology and regulation.
