Dense fog and severely low visibility over Varanasi created major disruptions in air traffic on Thursday, leading to the diversion of multiple flights bound for the holy city to Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. The adverse weather conditions left hundreds of passengers stranded, forcing airlines to implement contingency plans, including cancellations and long road journeys.
Multiple Airlines Forced to Reroute
The cascading effect of the poor weather was felt by several carriers. IndiGo flight 6E2334, traveling from Delhi to Varanasi with 216 passengers onboard, was among the first to be diverted. The aircraft landed in Lucknow, where refreshments were served to travelers who remained on the plane before it eventually resumed its journey to the original destination once conditions improved.
However, not all passengers were as fortunate. Air India Express flight IX2975 from Bengaluru, which was parked at Bay-11 in Lucknow, saw its journey terminated. After initially holding passengers onboard, the airline cancelled the flight. All 159 affected travelers were subsequently transported to Varanasi by bus.
Widespread Cancellations and Road Transport
The disruption was widespread. Akasa Air flight QP1498 from Mumbai, carrying 185 people, met a similar fate after being diverted to Lucknow. The flight was officially cancelled, and arrangements were made to send the passengers to Varanasi via road. Similarly, SpiceJet flight SG392, also originating from Mumbai, was diverted and later cancelled. The airline made alternate arrangements for its passengers, which included providing bus transportation to complete their trip.
The international operations were not spared either. Another Air India Express flight, IX184, coming from Sharjah to Varanasi, was also rerouted to Lucknow. This flight was cancelled, and passengers were de-planed. The airline took responsibility for arranging their onward travel to Varanasi.
Airlines Step Up with Passenger Care
In response to the chaos, airport officials confirmed that all airlines worked diligently to minimize passenger inconvenience. A standard protocol of providing refreshments and organizing ground transportation was followed for those whose flights were cancelled. The primary goal was to ensure that despite the significant delays and disruptions caused by the adverse weather conditions, travelers reached their final destination safely, even if by road.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of North Indian air travel to dense winter fog, which annually leads to similar disruptions at major airports. It also underscores the importance of robust passenger care protocols during unforeseen operational challenges.
