Air India, the Tata Group-owned airline, has issued a significant travel advisory for passengers as dense winter fog is set to severely impact flight operations across several key airports in northern and eastern India. The advisory, released on Friday, warns of widespread disruptions with a ripple effect across its network.
Multiple Airports and Cities Affected
The airline specifically highlighted that operations are likely to be affected at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, along with airports in Amritsar (ATQ), Chandigarh (IXC), Lucknow (LKO), Varanasi (VNS), and Patna (PAT). The disruptions come as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast dense fog conditions for the region with the onset of winter.
FogCare Initiative: Refunds and Rescheduling
In a relief for travelers, Air India has activated its FogCare initiative. Under this program, passengers booked on select flights during the affected fog window will receive advance alerts. They are being given the option to either change their flights without any additional payment or seek a full refund without penalty.
The airline's advisory is not an isolated event. It comes amid massive operational chaos at Delhi airport. According to a PTI report, at least 177 flights, including some international services, were cancelled on Friday alone. Data from flight tracking website Flightradar24.com indicated that nearly 500 flights were delayed at the airport throughout the day.
Other Airlines Follow Suit
The fog-induced crisis has impacted other carriers as well. Air India Express announced cancellations of flights from Delhi to destinations like Pune, Ranchi, Bagdogra, Indore, Patna, Goa, Varanasi, and Jodhpur. Similarly, IndiGo issued an advisory, noting that Delhi NCR, Amritsar, Jabalpur, and Jalandhar were enveloped in fog, leading to schedule changes and slower operations. The airline stated its teams were prioritizing safety and compliance with visibility requirements.
The civil aviation ministry is actively monitoring the situation. In a social media post on Friday afternoon, the ministry confirmed it is closely coordinating with the IMD and that decisions are being made based on real-time forecasts. It reiterated that airlines are offering full refunds and free rescheduling, and airport directors have been instructed to provide all necessary support to stranded passengers.
This widespread disruption underscores the annual challenge that winter fog poses to air travel in northern India, prompting airlines to deploy special measures to mitigate passenger inconvenience.
