Air India has rolled out a new initiative named 'Fog Care' to assist passengers facing flight disruptions during the dense fog season in North India. The move comes as the airline, along with others, grapples with significant schedule interruptions caused by poor visibility.
What Triggered the 'Fog Care' Initiative?
The airline announced the programme in a travel advisory posted on social media platform X. It cited dense fog enveloping Delhi and parts of Northern India early on December 15th, which led to widespread flight disruptions. The conditions caused severe air traffic congestion at Delhi Airport, parking bay issues, and a cascading network-wide impact on Air India's operations, forcing several delays and cancellations.
With the India Meteorological Department forecasting similar low-visibility conditions for December 16th, Air India has proactively cancelled select flights. To mitigate passenger inconvenience, the 'Fog Care' programme has been activated.
Key Benefits and Eligibility for Passengers
The initiative is designed to offer automatic and complimentary solutions to affected travellers. Passengers booked on flights that are impacted or likely to be affected are being notified in advance. They are being automatically offered two options: complimentary rescheduling or a full refund without any penalty.
Eligibility extends to all passengers whose flights are disrupted due to fog. Notifications are sent via SMS and email to the contact details in the booking. Air India has advised that if a passenger does not receive direct communication, the contact information might be linked to a travel agent who booked the ticket.
What Does Fog Care Specifically Offer?
For Domestic Travel to/from Delhi: Passengers can reschedule the impacted leg of their journey on any Air India flight operating on the same route within the next 72 hours (3 days) at no extra cost.
Rescheduling and Refunds: Those who booked directly via Air India's website or mobile app can rebook or cancel for a full refund through the manage booking link. Passengers who booked via agents or other partners can reschedule free of charge or claim a refund through their original booking platform.
Extended Rebooking Option: By contacting Air India's call centre, affected passengers can also rebook on any flight operating on the same route until the end of March using a special waiver code, providing greater flexibility.
How to Avail the Fog Care Programme
Air India urges passengers scheduled to fly on affected days to check their flight status online before heading to the airport. The airline has provided a dedicated link: https://airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html.
For additional support, passengers can reach Air India's 24x7 contact centre at +91 11 69329333 or +91 11 69329999. The airline has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the weather and thanked passengers for their patience.
The 'Fog Care' initiative is a structured response to the annual challenge of winter fog, which particularly affects early morning and late-night flights, aiming to reduce unnecessary airport travel and long waits for passengers.
