Severe fog enveloped Delhi on Monday that resulted in a major Delhi airport outage with the cancellation of 228 flights and 5 of them were redirected to the airport. The visibility was drastically reduced in the city and in some parts of the North of India as well. Airlines warned of the late arrival of the flights and suggested checking the flight status before leaving for the airport.
What happened at Delhi airport
According to airport officials, 131 take-offs and 97 landings were called off because there was no visibility during the early hours of the day. At the same time, five more planes were redirected to other airports. Operations were being conducted at IGI under CAT III conditions supporting runway landings in very poor visibility but also causing a substantial slowdown in air traffic movement and increased separation between aircraft.
The massiveness of the cancellations put many travelers in a helpless situation. Travellers were either stuck in places other than their intended destination or obligated to make last-minute changes to their itinerary. The incident comes just after another case of a recent failure at IndiGo, which had resulted in a lofty number of flight cancellations in the country, in turn exacerbating an already overwhelmed aviation industry.
Why fog disrupts so much
The occurence of winter fog in northern India is sudden and likely to start before sunrise; it could even be present till noon. Only trained pilots and equipped aircraft can take off with CAT III instrument landing systems and the runway capacity to rise rapidly. The inaccessibility gives rise to the continuous delays, missed connections, and limits on the working hours of crew.
ATC and the ground staff employ both safety and through-put techniques but when the visibility is continuously poor, then there are bound to be some cancellations and diversions. During foggy days, the first batch of flight departures is mostly affected, and the effects carry on up to the afternoon.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has warned the public about the heavy fog in the northern region of India. They requested passengers to recheck the time of their flight and change their plans accordingly to be able to reach the airport in time. Additionally, they also mentioned that ATC and ground staff were working together to maintain flight operations at a minimum level and to ensure passenger safety.
The said airlines, IndiGo and Air India, were the most affected, expanded from heavy fog at Delhi and nearby airports. They even went on to inform their customers that the digital channel would be the most reliable one where they could be obtaining the help they need. The Delhi Airport also said that some of the flights would be delayed, and they were splitting operations into CAT III strict protocols.
There’s also air quality to fear
The fog was not the only reason for the weather problems. Air pollution levels were unusually high at the same time. Delhi city continued to have a considerably high Air Quality Index reading of nearly 498 which is nearly the highest on the AQI scale i.e. 500. A combination of poor air and low visibility led to increased health risks, especially for the people having respiratory problems, children, and the elderly.
It was recommended by the authorities that people should not stay out for long periods of time, should wear properly fitted N95 masks, and should have air purifiers working where possible indoors. Travelers with asthmatic or any other breathing problems were advised to take along their prescribed medications and seek medical care if the situation gets worse.
What actions should passengers take
– Use your airline’s app or website to check your flight status before you leave your place.
– Try out self-service rebooking for quicker choices if your flight is cancelled.
– Allow for the longer IGI journey time for fog and traffic reasons.
– Keep your contact details accurate in the booking for instant alerts.
– Business class travelers with a bad connection should think of changing to a later flight.
– For overseas journeys, check the visa or transit requirements in advance of rescheduling.
– Store the most important stuff in your carry-on luggage in case of delays.
Know your rights in weather disruptions
In accordance with the rules set by the Indian government, weather-caused cancellations are generally placed under the category of extraordinary circumstances. Under such circumstances, airlines are not bound to pay cash compensation, but they have to offer a full refund or an alternative flight without any extra charge, all subject to availability. If you purchased your ticket through a travel agent or an OTA, make changes through the same link.
Long delays are connected with your expenditures; even if the reimbursement for weather phenomena is not certain, the well-kept records could support claims or travel insurance requests.
Weather predictions for the next couple of days
Meteorologists anticipate the thick fog early in the morning, particularly in the pre-dawn till about mid-morning time frame. Given the poor visibility, CAT III operations at Delhi airport will still be in effect, although perhaps with the introduction of fewer flights during busy hours. Passengers are advised to expect some delays on and off until the situation gets better.
For the moment, the most suitable plan is to be patient, consistently monitor airline notes, and incorporate extra time into your schedules. Flight-safety first practices could mean travels will take longer than expected, but they will also mean that flights will depart only when the conditions and the crew are both within certified limits.
