Air travel to the capital of Jharkhand faced significant disruption on Monday, as adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of multiple flights. Officials at the Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi confirmed that a total of four flights scheduled to arrive at and depart from the city were called off for the day.
Affected Flights and Airlines
According to authorities from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) stationed at the airport, the cancellations impacted two major airlines. IndiGo saw two of its flight rotations cancelled. This included a service connecting Hyderabad to Ranchi and its return journey, as well as a flight operating between Patna and Ranchi and back.
Similarly, Air India Express flights were also grounded. The cancellations involved the airline's routes from the national capital, New Delhi, to Ranchi and back, and from Mumbai to Ranchi and its return service.
Primary Cause: Fog and Operational Hurdles
The AAI official cited the primary reason for the widespread cancellations as dense fog coupled with other operational issues at the flights' cities of origin. This combination made it unfeasible for the aircraft to operate as per schedule.
"The flights were cancelled due to fog and other operational reasons from their origin," the official stated. He further clarified that while flights were cancelled, the situation did not escalate to require any diversions to Ranchi airport from other routes. "There were no diversions from here," he added.
Impact on Passengers and Travel Plans
The sudden cancellation of four flights undoubtedly caused inconvenience to numerous passengers. Travelers on these key domestic routes from major metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, as well as from the nearby capital Patna, had to alter their plans at short notice.
Such disruptions highlight the vulnerability of air travel, especially in North and Eastern India, to seasonal weather phenomena like winter fog. Passengers are often advised to check their flight status regularly during this season and stay in touch with their respective airlines for re-booking options or refunds in case of cancellations.
