“Fog Woes: Over 160 Indian Flights Experience Delays and Cancellations as Dense Fog Disrupts Air Traffic”

Dense Fog Continues to Disrupt Northern India: Over 160 Flights Delayed and Cancelled

The grip of an intense cold wave, shrouded in dense fog, persists across northern India, causing significant disruptions in air travel for the third consecutive day. More than 160 flights have been affected, with New Delhi, the capital, experiencing delays and cancellations at its international airport.

According to Flightradar24, the aviation site, New Delhi’s international airport witnessed 128 delayed flights and 33 cancellations. The repercussions extended to flight schedules nationwide, creating a cascade effect. At 8 am, visibility at the airport was reported to be as low as 50 meters (164 feet), with weather officials anticipating similar conditions throughout the week.

The winter chill in New Delhi hit its lowest temperature at 3.3 degrees Celsius on Monday, leading to the delay of around 500 flights and the cancellation of 87. Passengers expressed their frustration through heated arguments with airline staff, captured in images circulated on television and social media. One video even depicted passengers having dinner while waiting on the tarmac for a delayed flight.

To address the situation, authorities are expediting efforts to utilize an additional runway equipped with the CAT III navigation system. This system enables aircraft to land safely even in conditions of low visibility, providing a potential solution to alleviate the disruptions caused by the persistent dense fog.