150+ flights delayed by fog at Delhi airport, travel disrupted

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Dense fog and air traffic restrictions caused flight delays at Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, impacting over 150 flights.

Thick fog combined with air traffic restrictions on a recent Tuesday resulted in several flight delays at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, causing distress to travelers. According to a knowledgeable source, over 150 flights were delayed, with seven cancellations attributed to operational issues.

The Airports Authority of India official noted that dense fog in Delhi and other parts of North India led to these delays. This aligns with the forecast from the India Meteorological Department, which predicted dense fog and cold conditions in North India for the coming days.

The airports in Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolkata, and Bangalore are equipped with Category III (CAT III) technology, enabling landings in low visibility conditions such as fog or rain. However, many airports are only CAT I or CAT II compliant, which limits operations during poor visibility.

CAT I permits landings with a visibility of 500 meters, while CAT II allows for landings with 300 meters visibility. The recent spike in disruptions at Delhi airport due to fog has prompted the government to implement standard operating procedures for airlines.

Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman of Sky One, emphasized the need for enhanced CAT III facilities at Indian airports to improve efficiency and reduce the strain on the aviation ecosystem.

Officials noted an increase in flight delays at Delhi airport due to airspace restrictions from January 19 to 26. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) stated that no flights could land or depart from Delhi during specific hours of the Republic Day week.

The reopening of airspace after restrictions led to congestion and additional delays. IndiGo and SpiceJet issued travel advisories warning of potential disruptions in various cities due to weather conditions, advising passengers to check their flight statuses.

« Back to Page

• Uttarakhand Tourism Shine with New Flights from Dehradun to Ayodhya, Varanasi and Amritsar

• Visa-Free travel, India – Malaysia adventure with AirAsia

• Amritsar to welcome 100 stylish room property in 2026

• Tourism sites maintenance – ACTDA set up

• Join metro bus routes with tourist attractions: Amritsar locals