With dense fog enveloping the national capital, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) Airport has activated low-visibility procedures to ensure smooth operations. “Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information,” read the advisory. Despite the challenges, most flights are operating on schedule, though passengers are advised to remain vigilant about their flight status.
Early morning rainfall and lightning on Friday, December 27, compounded the cold wave gripping Delhi and its surrounding areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the adverse conditions to an active western disturbance, predicting thunderstorms, hailstorms, and moderate rainfall across northwestern and central India on December 27 and 28.
Flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 reported 146 delayed flights, three cancellations, and an average delay of nearly 30 minutes for departures and arrivals in Delhi. However, there were no major disruptions.
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Airlines Advisories for Travellers
IndiGo: IndiGo advised passengers to plan ahead, especially given the possibility of intermittent rain throughout the day. “We recommend checking your flight status before heading to the airport. Safe travels!” the airline noted. It also highlighted weather-related challenges in Udaipur, offering convenient refund or rescheduling options for affected flights. “With clouds hovering over Delhi and intermittent rain expected throughout the day, please plan your journey accordingly. We recommend checking your flight status before heading to the airport to stay updated on any potential schedule changes Safe travels!,” said IndiGo.
Air India: Highlighting potential delays due to rain, Air India urged passengers to begin their airport journey early and monitor flight updates. “Flights to and from Delhi may get affected due to rains. Guests are advised to start early for the airport, as slow traffic may delay movement. Kindly check your flight status before heading to the airport by clicking here: said Air India.
SpiceJet: SpiceJet issued a similar warning, encouraging travellers to regularly check flight statuses to account for possible disruptions. “Due to bad weather (rain) in Delhi (DEL), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status via said SpiceJet.
The months between December and February bring significant operational challenges for airlines, including low visibility due to fog, strong winds, and congested airports. To tackle these issues, airlines rely on precision landing systems, specially trained pilots, and strategic contingency planning.
Measures Taken by Airlines
IndiGo said it has trained 80% of its 5,000 pilots to operate under CAT III conditions for near-zero visibility landings. The airline has equipped its Airbus fleet with CAT III systems for precision landings in visibility as low as 75 meters. Extra fuel has been allocated per flight and positioned crews near airports for rapid deployment. Utilised meteorologists with Air Force and Navy expertise for real-time weather updates.
Air India said it is prioritising long-haul and metro-to-metro flights to minimise disruption and increased the number of CAT III-certified pilots. The airline also introduced a “Fog Care” initiative offering free rescheduling or refunds for affected passengers, emphasizing customer support.
With proactive measures in place, Delhi Airport and airlines are working to minimise disruptions caused by fog and rain. Passengers are encouraged to remain informed and plan their travel accordingly to navigate the challenges posed by winter weather.