Delhi Airport Faces Flight Delays Due to First Winter Fog, Airlines Advise Caution

IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet have issued warnings about potential flight delays at Delhi airport. The season's first winter fog has severely reduced visibility, impacting departures and arrivals. Airlines are advising passengers to check flight status and allow extra travel time, especially for flights not equipped for advanced CAT III landing operations, which allow safe landings in dense fog conditions.

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is currently experiencing significant operational disruptions following the arrival of the season's first winter fog. Major carriers, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, have collectively warned passengers about the likelihood of flight delays and potential cancellations. The dense fog has led to a drastic reduction in visibility, posing considerable challenges for aircraft takeoffs and landings. Airlines are strongly urging all travelers to verify their flight status well in advance of their scheduled departure and to factor in additional travel time to reach the airport. The advisory specifically highlights that the poor visibility conditions are expected to affect both departure and arrival schedules, particularly for flights operated by aircraft that are not equipped with advanced CAT III landing systems. These sophisticated systems are crucial as they enable planes to land safely even in extremely low visibility conditions, a capability not universally available across all aircraft. This early onset of winter fog underscores the recurrent challenges faced by the aviation sector in Delhi during the colder months, impacting a large number of travelers and necessitating coordinated efforts from airlines and airport authorities to mitigate the operational complexities while prioritizing passenger safety.