At least 129 flights were cancelled at Indira Gandhi International Airport IGI) in Delhi on Saturday, December 20. The IGI airport told news wire ANI in a statement that 66 arrivals and 63 departures have been cancelled for the day at the airport. Meanwhile, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and several airlines warned of fog-induced flight delays.
Here are highlights related to flight delays and reschedules amid dense fog conditions on 20 December:
10:00 pm: Air India issued a passenger advisory on Saturday as weather forecasts continued to indicate dense fog conditions across Delhi, other parts of India with the onset of winter. The Tata Group airline said that flight schedules across the network are likely to be affected with the current weather forecast.
8:30 pm: Delhi Airport issues another advisory – stating that low visibility procedures are in progress at the air hub. All flight operations are presently normal, it said.
5:34 pm: Delhi Airport has issued an advisory, urging passengers to keep a tab on their flight status. It said that low visibility procedures are in place at the airport and advised flyers to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates on flight status.
4:00 pm: IndiGo issues advisory due to dense fog conditions in Chandigarh. The domestic carrier said that as a precaution, some flights have been cancelled through the day to prioritise safety and help minimise extended waiting at the airport.
2:27 pm: So far, at least 129 flights have been cancelled at the Delhi airport on due to dense fog, according to an official. Flight operations have already been disrupted for the past several days at Delhi and other airports due to dense fog, resulting in low visibility conditions.
12 pm: IndiGo's advisory — "Low visibility and fog over #Ranchi, #Jammu and #Hindon (Airport) may impact flight schedules. We are closely monitoring the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly.
We request that you stay updated on your flight status. Please be assured that our teams are here to assist you at every step and provide full support. We look forward to clearer skies and a swift return to our regular schedule. Thank you for your patience and understanding."
11 am: The AAI warned of flight delays due to dense fog at several airports in North India. It posted on X, “Reduced visibility due to fog across parts of Northern India may impact flight operations at select airports, leading to possible delays or disruptions.”
“Passengers are encouraged to stay in regular contact with their respective airlines for real-time flight updates, rely exclusively on official communication channels for accurate information, and allow extra time for travel and airport formalities,” the AAI said.
It added, “To ensure passenger convenience, AAI has deployed dedicated passenger facilitation teams at airports to provide assistance and support. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to ensure safe and efficient operations.”
