Delhi Flights Grounded: Fog Strikes Again

Dense fog at Delhi Airport led to the cancellation of 27 flights, with many more delayed. The airport is operating under CAT-III conditions, requiring specialized pilot training and compliant aircraft. The situation underscores the impact of weather on flight schedules.

Dense fog enveloped Delhi Airport on Thursday, leading to the cancellation of 27 flights and delaying numerous others, according to an official from Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL). The affected flights included 16 departures and 11 arrivals, significantly disrupting travel plans.

In light of the visibility issues, DIAL issued a passenger advisory noting the operation under CAT-III conditions. This type of operation demands significant pilot training and specific aircraft compliance to manage operations under reduced visibility.

CAT-III Instrument Landing System (ILS) approaches are designed for conditions where visibility is severely limited due to fog, rain, or snow, with a runway visual range (RVR) of only 50-200 meters. The situation highlights the challenges posed by unpredictable weather on flight schedules.

(With inputs from agencies.)