New Delhi, 19 December (H.S.): Persistent dense fog enveloped the national capital on Friday, severely disrupting operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport, where at least 79 flights—including several international services—were cancelled, according to a Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) official.
More than 230 flights faced delays, with departures averaging 49 minutes behind schedule during the morning hours, as reported by flight-tracking platform Flightradar24.com.
DIAL, which manages India's busiest aviation hub handling approximately 1,300 flights daily, confirmed that operations proceeded under CAT III low-visibility protocols, enabling both arrivals and departures despite ongoing challenges.
The fog reduced visibility to critical levels, prompting airlines to proactively cancel flights and notify passengers in advance. Ground staff collaborated with carriers to mitigate inconvenience, offering support across terminals, though travellers encountered extended waits and rescheduling hurdles.
Flightradar24 data underscored the disruption index at elevated levels, with some reports indicating up to 152 planned cancellations comprising 79 departures and 73 arrivals amid compounding smog.
The India Meteorological Department forecasted continued foggy conditions across northern India, exacerbating winter travel woes in Delhi-NCR. Airport authorities urged passengers to verify statuses via official apps or websites before heading out, as CAT III systems strained under near-zero visibility.
Airlines like IndiGo and Air India issued parallel advisories, emphasising flexibility for affected itineraries.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
