Severe fog and low visibility conditions across North India have thrown flight operations into disarray, leading to massive cancellations and delays at the Delhi airport. In response, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued strict instructions to airlines, mandating full compliance with passenger facilitation norms to ease the travel chaos.
Ministry Mandates Passenger Support, Airlines Issue Advisories
On Tuesday, the ministry explicitly directed all airlines to adhere to rules designed for passenger convenience during such disruptions. The mandated measures include providing timely flight information, offering meals to passengers facing long delays, facilitating rebooking or full refunds for cancelled flights, and ensuring no denial of boarding to those who have checked in on time. The ministry also emphasized efficient baggage handling and prompt grievance redressal systems.
Following the directive, major carriers like Air India activated their contingency plans. Air India highlighted its 'FogCare' initiative, which sends advance alerts to passengers on potentially affected flights, allowing them to reschedule or get a full refund without penalty. The airline assured that ground staff would be deployed at key airport points to assist travellers.
Scale of Disruption: Cancellations, Diversions, and Delays
The advisory comes in the wake of significant operational turmoil at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Official data revealed that a total of 118 flights were cancelled on Tuesday—60 arrivals and 58 departures. Additionally, 16 flights were diverted to other airports, and over 130 services faced delays due to the persistently low visibility.
Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) stated that while operations continued, flights not equipped for Category III (CAT III) landing systems were primarily affected. CAT III compliance allows aircraft to land in very low visibility conditions. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has deployed special assistance teams at affected airports to support stranded passengers on the ground.
Dense Fog and Poor Air Quality Grip the Capital
The flight chaos coincided with another morning of dense fog enveloping the national capital, drastically reducing visibility in many areas. While the air quality showed a marginal improvement, it remained hazardous. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 388, still in the 'very poor' category, with 16 monitoring stations reporting 'severe' air. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an 'orange' alert, forecasting very dense fog conditions to persist.
The ministry has urged all passengers travelling from affected regions, especially North India, to proactively check their flight status with airlines, allow considerable extra time for travel, and maintain communication with their carriers for real-time updates. The situation continues to be monitored closely by authorities.
