Dense Fog Forces Mumbai-Chandigarh Flight to Return After Two Hours
Dense fog continues to wreak havoc on air travel across northern India. A recent incident involving an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Chandigarh highlights the severe disruptions caused by poor visibility.
Flight Forced to Turn Back Mid-Air
The IndiGo flight 6E-6204, scheduled to depart Mumbai at 8:20 PM on Monday, January 12, finally took off around 10:15 PM after a delay of nearly one hour and forty minutes. However, the aircraft could not land at Chandigarh airport around midnight due to extremely dense fog and very low visibility. For safety reasons, the flight was diverted back to Mumbai after flying for nearly two hours.
An airport official explained the situation. "When the flight departed from Mumbai, weather conditions in Chandigarh were clear. The situation worsened suddenly during the flight, making it unsafe for landing," the official said.
Passengers Face Harassment and Confusion
The unexpected return to Mumbai triggered significant frustration and anxiety among passengers. Rachit Goel, a passenger on the flight, alleged that after landing back in Mumbai late at night, they received neither clear information nor immediate alternative arrangements from the airline.
Passengers reported feeling stranded and confused, with many expressing anger over the lack of communication and support during the ordeal.
Widespread Flight Disruptions Across Multiple Cities
The foggy conditions caused extensive disruptions beyond this single flight. On Tuesday morning, IndiGo flights arriving from Abu Dhabi and Bengaluru were forced to circle over Chandigarh airport for considerable periods. They were only allowed to land after visibility improved.
Airport sources revealed that around five to six flights were temporarily diverted but were called back once conditions became favorable. The fog led to several IndiGo flight cancellations to and from Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, and Hyderabad.
Additionally, approximately thirty flights experienced delays:
- Fifteen departure flights
- Fifteen arrival flights
These delays ranged from fifteen minutes to over an hour, causing further inconvenience to travelers across multiple routes.
Airport Authorities Issue Travel Advisory
With dense fog continuing to impact air services across north India, airport authorities have issued important advice for passengers. They strongly recommend that travelers check their flight status before heading to the airport. Authorities also suggest arriving at the airport well in advance to accommodate potential delays.
The ongoing weather conditions serve as a reminder of how natural elements can significantly disrupt modern air travel systems, affecting thousands of passengers during peak travel periods.
