Normalcy Disrupted Due To Fog in Delhi Airport

Stunned Delhi residents have experienced dense fog on January 8 mornings with minimum temperature settling at 11.5 degrees Celsius. On going winter’s first massive fog has reportedly caused fumble in flight operations at Delhi Airport with delays, diversions and flight disruptions across the domestic networks.

Dense fog has apparently caused cancellation of more than 130 trains and 60 early morning flights have been delayed. Met office has forecast for a further fall of two or three degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures over the region from January 9 and onwards. Meanwhile, shallow to moderate fog has also been forecast for isolated places over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and west Uttar Pradesh. 

Prior to that, the meteorological department has forecast for a partly cloudy sky and moderate to dense fog early on January 8 morning in Delhi. Very light, isolated drizzles have also been predicted in the city for the same day. The met office is expecting partly cloudy sky with thundery development from January 13 and onwards.

The Airport Authority of India (AAI), responsible for controlling air traffic movement at all civil Indian airports has committed to bring the situation under control shortly. Airport facilities in dense fog prevailing ports like Lucknow and Amritsar have been upgraded to CAT II from CAT I Instrument Landing System (ILS).

CAT I ILS is capable of guiding pilots for landing aircraft in visibility range of 550 meters, while CAT II affords landing in visibility of up to a minimum of 350 meters. The Delhi airport is equipped with CAT III- B ILS, capable of functioning in visibility range of 50 meters.

The calibration of the ILS has been performed and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has resumed certification for operations. However, visibility at Lucknow, Amritsar, Varanasi and Gaya has reportedly gone below 50 meters due to dense fog.

Up gradation to CAT IIIC instrument landing facility has been sought by Amber Dubey, Head of Aerospace and Defense Practice at KPMG.  Some operational factors have been cited as the logical arguments for up gradation to CAT IIIC which allows pilot to land in complete blindness.

Refreshments have been reportedly served on board and guests have been updated on the status of the flights after regular intervals. Guests have also been offered refunds as per policy and DGCA civil aviation regulations or accommodated on subsequent flights upon their choices.