Dense Fog Brings Chandigarh Airport to a Standstill
Heavy fog wreaked havoc at Chandigarh's Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport on Wednesday morning. The thick blanket of mist completely halted flight operations for several hours, causing widespread travel chaos.
Operations Suspended for Hours
Airport authorities were forced to suspend all flight movements from early morning. Visibility dropped below 500 meters starting at 5 am, making it impossible for planes to land or take off safely. The airport typically begins its daily operations at 5:20 am, but today everything remained grounded.
The situation only improved marginally around 10 am. The first arrival finally touched down at 10:57 am, nearly six hours behind schedule. The first departure managed to take off much later at 12:50 pm.
Massive Flight Disruptions
The fog caused extensive disruptions across the flight schedule:
- 21 flights were cancelled completely - 12 arrivals and 9 departures
- 19 inbound flights experienced delays ranging from 2.5 to 7 hours
- 25 departing flights took off 3 to 7 hours behind schedule
Cancelled arrival flights included services from major cities like Pune, Jaipur, Dharamshala, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. On the departure side, flights bound for Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Jaipur, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad were scrapped.
Passenger Frustration Mounts
Travelers faced significant inconvenience throughout the day. Long queues formed at airline counters as passengers sought information about rescheduled flights and alternative arrangements. Many expressed frustration over the uncertainty and lack of clear communication.
Airport authorities appealed for patience from affected passengers. They advised travelers to maintain contact with their respective airlines for the latest flight updates and status changes.
Weather Outlook Remains Concerning
The India Meteorological Department has issued warnings about continued fog conditions. Officials predict similar visibility issues might persist over the next 24 hours.
In light of this forecast, airport officials are strongly advising passengers to reach the airport well in advance of their scheduled departure times. They recommend checking flight status regularly before heading to the airport.
The disruption serves as a reminder of how weather conditions can significantly impact air travel during winter months in northern India. Airport authorities say they are monitoring the situation closely and will implement contingency plans as needed.
