Dense fog has descended upon the national capital and large parts of North India, severely disrupting air travel and leading to significant delays and cancellations. Major airlines, including IndiGo, have been forced to issue advisories to passengers as visibility dropped to near-zero levels at key airports.
IndiGo's Advisory to Passengers Amid Poor Visibility
India's largest carrier, IndiGo, has proactively communicated with travelers regarding the widespread impact of the fog. The airline stated that flight operations across North India are likely to be affected due to the adverse weather conditions. In an official advisory, IndiGo urged passengers to monitor their flight status regularly before heading to the airport.
The airline recommended using its official website or mobile app for real-time updates. This advisory is a standard precautionary measure to prevent inconvenience to passengers who might otherwise arrive at the airport only to face indefinite waits or cancellations.
Widespread Disruption Across the Region
The foggy conditions are not confined to Delhi alone. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast dense to very dense fog over several states in the northern plains. This weather phenomenon is typical for this time of the year but has intensified, leading to operational challenges for aviation authorities.
Flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi have been hit the hardest. As a major aviation hub, delays and diversions here have a cascading effect on air traffic across the country. Other airports in the region, including those in Amritsar, Lucknow, and Chandigarh, are also experiencing similar issues with reduced visibility.
What Travelers Should Do
Passengers booked on flights to or from North India in the coming days are advised to take specific steps. Firstly, they should keep a close watch on flight status notifications sent by their airline via SMS or email. Secondly, allowing extra travel time to the airport is crucial, as road traffic is also slowed by the fog. Lastly, travelers are encouraged to understand their rights regarding cancellations and delays as per airline policies and DGCA regulations.
The current situation underscores the vulnerability of transport networks to seasonal weather. While airport authorities are equipped with low-visibility procedures, the intensity of the fog can sometimes exceed operational limits, forcing last-minute schedule changes.
Looking Ahead: Weather Forecast and Precautions
Meteorological officials indicate that these dense fog conditions are likely to persist for the next few days. The combination of low temperatures, moisture, and calm winds creates an ideal environment for the formation of dense fog, particularly during the late night and early morning hours.
Authorities at all major airports have activated their low visibility take-off (LVTO) and Cat-III Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) to manage operations. However, when visibility falls below a certain minimum threshold, even these advanced systems cannot prevent disruptions, leading to delays, diversions, or cancellations for safety reasons.
The fog-induced chaos serves as a seasonal reminder for the aviation sector and passengers alike to prepare for such eventualities. Airlines are expected to continue their advisories until weather conditions improve significantly across North India.
