Just days after recovering from a major airline meltdown, chaos has returned to Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA). Severe bad weather, particularly dense fog in Delhi, is now causing widespread flight cancellations and delays, throwing travel plans into disarray during the busy winter season.
Severe Disruption Across Major Routes
The fresh wave of disruptions began on Monday, December 9th, with airport officials confirming 18 flight cancellations and nearly 60 delays. The situation worsened significantly on Tuesday, December 10th, when at least 29 flights operating to and from Hyderabad were cancelled. The impact was felt across crucial routes connecting the city to Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Pune.
Delhi's Weather Creates a National Ripple Effect
The core of the problem lies in the national capital. Poor visibility and adverse weather conditions in Delhi have forced numerous aircraft to remain grounded. This has a cascading effect nationwide, especially for Hyderabad, as a majority of flights connecting the city to other destinations operate via the Delhi sector. When Delhi's air traffic grinds to a halt, the delays and cancellations inevitably spread across the network.
In an official advisory, RGIA stated, "Due to heavy fog in the northern parts of the country, certain flights may be affected. Passengers are requested to check their airlines for the latest updates."
Passenger Frustration Mounts During Peak Season
For travelers, this is a frustrating repeat of recent troubles. Passengers have reported long, uncertain waits at the airport, last-minute cancellations, and difficulties with rebooking on alternative flights. This added travel anxiety is particularly acute now, as it coincides with the peak winter travel period when many are heading for holidays or year-end journeys.
The airport had only just stabilized following the widespread operational meltdown experienced by IndiGo, making this latest weather-induced crisis a double blow for the aviation hub and its passengers.
