Delhi Airport faced significant disruptions to flight operations on January 16, with 30 flights delayed and 17 cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, primarily dense fog. The situation led to extended waiting hours for passengers and prompted regulatory action to enhance preparedness and address the challenges posed by low visibility.
Courtesy: Image posted on X by ANI
Weather-Related Flight Disruptions
A dense blanket of fog enveloped Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Sunday, causing low visibility and impacting flight operations. As a result, 30 flights were delayed, and 17 were cancelled, affecting numerous passengers at the airport.
In response to the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia conducted a meeting on January 15 with key government officials, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), BCAS, and the Airport Authority of India (AAI). The focus of the meeting was on enhancing preparedness for unforeseen incidents and issuing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide airlines in handling such situations.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Issued
The DGCA promptly issued SOPs mandating airlines to adhere to specific guidelines during flight delays and cancellations. Some key directives include:
1. Real-time Information: Airlines are required to publish real-time flight delay information on their websites.
2. Passenger Communication: Providing advance information to affected passengers through SMS, WhatsApp, and email to keep them informed.
3. Airport Information: Displaying updated information on flight delays at airports for waiting passengers.
The SOP emphasizes the need for appropriate sensitization of airline staff at airports to effectively communicate and continuously inform passengers about flight delays.
Weather-Related Measures for Airlines
Given the prevailing fog season and adverse weather conditions, airlines are advised to cancel, well in advance, flights anticipated to be delayed beyond three hours. This proactive approach aims to prevent airport congestion and minimize passenger inconvenience.
CAT III-Enabled Fourth Runway Directive
To tackle the challenges posed by low visibility, the airport operator, DIAL, has been directed to expedite the operationalization of the CAT III-enabled fourth runway. CAT III compliance allows flight operations to continue even in low-visibility conditions.
Currently, Delhi Airport has four runways, with three of them, including the CAT III-compliant RW 11L/29R, operational. The CAT III-compliant RW 10/28 is undergoing maintenance work. The urgent operationalization of the CAT III-enabled fourth runway has been requested to meet DGCA approvals.
Data from 5 am to 9 am indicates the CAT-III Runway RWY 11R/29L managed 30 landings and 1 takeoff during the four hours, while the non-CAT III Runway RWY 9/27 experienced no flight movement. RWY 11L/29R handled 2 takeoffs during the same period, according to the civil aviation ministry's post on Monday.
Regulatory Action and Accountability
In response to diversions during dense fog in late December, the DGCA issued show-cause notices to Air India and SpiceJet for not deploying pilots trained for low-visibility conditions. The aviation regulator is actively addressing the issue to ensure the safe operation of flights in adverse weather conditions.
Minister's Assurance and Conclusion
Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia assured that stakeholders are "working round-the-clock" to minimize the impact of fog on operations and passenger inconvenience. He strongly emphasized that unruly passenger behaviour is unacceptable.
In conclusion, the combination of adverse weather conditions and low visibility has prompted regulatory measures, including the issuance of SOPs and directives for the expedited operationalization of a CAT III-enabled fourth runway at Delhi Airport. These steps aim to enhance preparedness, minimize disruptions, and ensure the safe operation of flights in challenging weather conditions. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed through various communication channels provided by airlines and airport authorities.