Dense Fog Causes Delay for 30 Flights at Delhi Airport

New Delhi, December 26: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted persistent foggy conditions in the national capital until December 28, leading to continued disruptions at the Delhi airport. As dense fog lingers for the third consecutive day, the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport faces delays in both arrivals and departures, impacting around 30 flights. Five flights have been diverted to Jaipur due to poor visibility from 8:30 am to 10:00 am.

In a statement, airport officials indicated that the delays are affecting both domestic and international flights. The Delhi airport issued an advisory, informing passengers that flights not equipped with CAT III (Category III) compliance may experience disruptions. CAT III is an anti-fog landing system crucial for safe operations during low visibility.

“While landing and take-offs continue at Delhi airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” read the advisory.

On Monday, eight flights were diverted from the Delhi airport, with seven heading to Jaipur and one to Ahmedabad. The diversions occurred between 6 am and 9 am. The IMD’s extended forecast predicts foggy conditions until December 28, followed by a dip in minimum temperatures from December 29 to December 30.

Apart from Delhi, the IMD reported very dense fog in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, East Uttar Pradesh, West Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. Moderate fog was observed in isolated pockets of West Uttar Pradesh, while shallow fog affected isolated pockets of Chandigarh, Bihar, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Tripura on Monday morning. Passengers are advised to stay updated on their flight status amid the ongoing weather challenges.