A thick blanket of dense fog has once again descended upon the National Capital Region (NCR) today, severely crippling flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Major carriers including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet have issued urgent travel advisories, warning passengers of significant delays, potential cancellations, and a cascading effect across their domestic networks.
The Delhi Airport implemented CAT-III (Category III) Low Visibility Procedures early Friday morning as visibility dropped below 50 meters in several parts of the city.
Airlines Respond to "Zero Visibility" Conditions
With winter peak fog affecting Northern India, airlines are taking proactive measures to manage the chaos.
1. IndiGo: Over 90 Flights Impacted
India’s largest carrier, IndiGo, reported that fluctuating visibility in the early hours has significantly impacted its flight flow.
- Cancellations: As many as 90 flights across the network—including major routes like Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Hyderabad, and Delhi-Nagpur—were reportedly cancelled or rescheduled on Friday.
- Advisory: "Early morning fog in Delhi and parts of northern India is affecting visibility. Customers may experience delays or revised timings," the airline stated on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
2. Air India: 'FogCare' Initiative Activated
Air India has warned that poor visibility at its primary hub in Delhi is causing a "cascading effect" on other cities.
- Proactive Alerts: Under its 'FogCare' initiative, the airline is sending advance alerts to passengers whose flights are likely to be affected.
- Flexibility: Impacted passengers are being offered the option to reschedule their flights without extra charges or seek a full refund.
3. SpiceJet: Multiple Cities Hit
SpiceJet highlighted that the "bad weather (poor visibility)" isn't limited to Delhi but is also affecting operations in Varanasi, Ayodhya, Patna, and Gorakhpur. The airline has urged all travelers to check their live flight status before leaving for the airport.
Visibility Status at IGI Airport
As of 8:30 AM IST on December 19, general visibility at the airport hovered around 50 meters, with Runway Visual Range (RVR) fluctuating between 175m and 225m across various runways.
Important Note: While CAT-III compliance allows aircraft to land in low visibility, take-offs still require a higher visibility threshold, which is currently the primary cause of departure delays.
Tips for Travelers Today
- Check Status Online: Do not head to the airport without verifying your flight status on the airline's official website or app.
- Buffer Time: Allow for extra travel time to the airport as road traffic is also significantly slowed down due to smog and fog.
- Contact Assistance: Ground staff at all terminals have been reinforced to assist with rebookings and refreshments for stranded passengers.
