Chennai, 17 December (H.S.) : Heavy fog and deteriorating weather conditions caused significant disruptions at the Chennai International Airport on Wednesday, leading to the cancellation of at least 11 flights. The poor visibility, which dropped well below safety limits during the early morning hours, affected both domestic and international operations, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

The sudden onset of thick fog significantly hampered takeoff and landing schedules, forcing airlines to prioritize safety over timelines as visibility remained insufficient for flight maneuvers.

In addition to the 11 cancellations, which primarily affected domestic connections to cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, several incoming international flights were unable to land in Chennai and were diverted to nearby airports such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad until conditions improved.

More than 20 other flights experienced delays ranging from one to four hours, causing a ripple effect across the day's flight schedule. The situation led to crowded terminals and frustration among travelers, many of whom were caught off guard by the seasonal weather shift.

Carriers have responded by offering refunds or complimentary rescheduling for affected travelers while increasing staff presence at help desks to manage the influx of queries. Airport officials and the Meteorological Department have indicated that the dense fog resulted from high humidity combined with a dip in early morning temperatures.

Authorities have advised passengers to check their flight status with respective airlines before heading to the airport, as the threat of morning fog is expected to persist for the next 48 hours.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary