Heavy fog and severely reduced visibility at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi caused major travel disruption on Friday, leading to the cancellation of dozens of flights. According to sources cited by PTI, a total of 66 flights were cancelled, throwing passenger schedules into chaos.
Breakdown of the Cancellations
The disruption impacted both incoming and outgoing air traffic. Of the 66 cancelled flights, 32 were arrivals and 34 were departures. Several airlines operating to and from the national capital were forced to cancel services as the thick fog made normal operations impossible. The situation highlights the annual winter challenge faced by one of India's busiest aviation hubs.
DGCA's Fog Window and Safety Protocols
The incident occurred during the officially designated fog window period from December 10 to February 10, as mandated by the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). During this winter season, special operational measures are enforced to prioritize passenger and crew safety.
As per DGCA's strict fog-related norms:
- Airlines must roster only pilots who are specifically trained to operate in very low-visibility conditions.
- They are required to deploy aircraft compliant with the advanced Category-IIIB navigation system for operations during dense fog.
Understanding Category-III Landing Systems
Category-III is a sophisticated instrument landing system that allows aircraft to land safely when visibility is critically poor. The system has different levels of capability:
Category III-A enables landings when the runway visual range (RVR) is as low as 200 metres.
The more advanced Category III-B system, which airlines are mandated to use, permits landings with an RVR of less than 50 metres, essentially allowing operations in near-zero visibility.
The widespread cancellations serve as a stark reminder of nature's impact on modern travel and underscore the importance of stringent safety protocols during India's harsh winter months. Passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly and allow extra time for travel when fog is forecast in Delhi.
