A passenger flight traveling from Mumbai to Varanasi was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Odisha's Biju Patnaik International Airport on Friday. The diversion was necessitated by heavy fog conditions that made landing at its intended destination impossible, airport officials confirmed.
Delhi Airport Gripped by Fog Chaos
Meanwhile, the national capital faced severe travel disruption as dense fog continued to paralyze operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). The fog led to significant flight schedule upheaval, with data from flight-tracking website Flightradar24.com revealing at least 79 flights were cancelled on Friday. The cancellations included several international services.
The disruption extended beyond cancellations, with over 230 flights experiencing delays. The average delay for departing flights was recorded at a substantial 49 minutes, causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers. IGIA, operated by Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), is a major aviation hub that typically manages approximately 1,300 flight movements every day.
Airport Authority's Response to the Crisis
In response to the widespread delays and cancellations, a DIAL official stated that on-ground teams are coordinating closely with airlines and other partners. The focus is on assisting affected passengers and providing necessary support across all terminals. The official also expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the weather-induced disruptions.
The twin incidents highlight the severe impact of winter fog on air travel in northern and eastern parts of India. While one flight found a safe alternative in Bhubaneswar, the primary hub in Delhi faced large-scale schedule meltdown, underscoring the challenges that airlines and airports contend with during this season.
