Early morning operations at Bhubaneswar's Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) faced significant disruptions on Monday due to dense fog blanketing the national capital. At least six flights scheduled to arrive from Delhi were delayed, with one service being cancelled outright, as visibility issues at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport created a ripple effect.
Multiple Airlines Affected by Morning Fog
The delays impacted multiple carriers, with airport authorities confirming that two flights each from IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express were held up. Each of these flights experienced a delay of at least two hours. The cascading effect meant that subsequent departures from Bhubaneswar were also pushed back, as the same aircraft were required for the return journeys.
"Since the six morning flights couldn't take off on time from Delhi, the arrival was delayed and so was the departure," explained BPIA director Prasanna Pradhan. He was quick to add that despite the incoming delays, the airport operation at BPIA itself remained smooth and normal.
Improved Scenario and Passenger Handling
Officials noted a silver lining, pointing out a marked improvement in the overall disruption scenario compared to previous instances. Only one IndiGo flight was suspended for the day. Furthermore, the situation was managed efficiently on the ground in Bhubaneswar. Since the delayed flights eventually arrived with their luggage, there were no baggage handling issues, and passengers were not seen crowding the IndiGo luggage counters.
Passengers were kept informed through digital channels. Travelers could track the status of their flights online and via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of BPIA, allowing them to adjust their plans accordingly and avoid unnecessary waits at the terminal.
Airport Prepared for Winter Fog
With winter setting in and mercury levels expected to dip further, airport authorities have stated they are prepared to handle similar fog-related disruptions. The officials acknowledged that outgoing morning flights from Bhubaneswar could be affected in the coming weeks if dense fog persists in northern India, particularly in Delhi, a major aviation hub.
The incident highlights the interconnected nature of air travel in India, where weather disturbances in one major city can quickly impact flight schedules across the network, underscoring the importance of passenger communication and contingency planning by airports and airlines.
