Severe weather conditions, compounded by thick fog and high pollution levels, caused significant disruptions to flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday. From 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, more than 100 flights were delayed, while 15 others were diverted to alternate airports due to poor visibility and adverse weather conditions.
The diversions saw 13 flights redirected to Jaipur, Lucknow, and Dehradun, while one flight was sent to each of these cities. The weather-related disruptions were exacerbated by a shortage of pilots trained in Category III (CAT III) Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures, which are essential for operating aircraft safely in low-visibility conditions. CAT III-certified pilots are trained to land and take off in challenging weather, such as fog, where visibility is critically low. Despite these challenges, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) assured passengers that “all flight operations are currently normal,” following the implementation of low-visibility procedures. However, airlines including Air India, SpiceJet, and IndiGo warned passengers of possible delays, citing poor visibility across the national capital and surrounding regions. Air India, in particular, advised travellers to factor in extra time for travel to the airport due to slow-moving traffic, while SpiceJet acknowledged delays in its morning schedule.
The disruptions underscore the ongoing challenges faced by Delhi’s aviation infrastructure in dealing with severe weather events, particularly during the winter months when fog and pollution levels often reach hazardous levels. With over 1,400 daily flight movements managed by DIAL, passengers have been advised to stay in touch with airlines for the latest updates on their flights. As Delhi continues to grapple with a thick layer of smog and fog, flight operations at the airport remain susceptible to delays, and travellers are urged to remain patient and prepared for continued disruptions. The incident serves as a reminder of the broader issue of air quality and visibility in northern India, and the importance of advanced pilot training in mitigating the impact of severe weather on aviation safety.
