Delhi airport chaos: 110 flights cancelled and 370 delayed due to fog

Indira Gandhi International Airport in the Indian capital, Delhi, witnessed widespread disruptions to air traffic today, with authorities announcing the cancellation of a total of 110 flights, in addition to the delay of more than 370 other flights, as a result of the sharp decline in horizontal visibility levels caused by waves of dense fog sweeping the region.

Details of the weather disturbances and official figures

According to data from the Press Trust of India (PTI), adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of 59 arriving and 51 departing flights, causing overcrowding in the airport terminals. The latest information from the global flight tracking website FlightRadar24 indicates that the number of delayed flights has exceeded 370, with an average delay time of approximately 26 minutes for departing flights, reflecting the significant operational pressure the airport is facing.

Environmental and climatic context: Delhi's recurring winter crisis

This event is not an isolated incident, but rather part of an annual climatic pattern that plagues northern India during the winter. The capital, New Delhi, is notorious for its "smog," a dangerous combination of natural fog caused by low temperatures and smoke from environmental pollution and crop burning in neighboring states. This phenomenon typically occurs between December and February, and annually brings transportation networks—air, rail, and highway—to a near standstill.

Technical challenges and their impact on navigation

Although Delhi Airport is equipped with state-of-the-art CAT III-B automated landing systems, which allow aircraft to land in extremely low visibility conditions as low as 50 meters, fog sometimes reduces visibility below the minimum required for safe takeoffs and landings. This forces air traffic controllers to reduce the number of flights per hour to ensure safety margins, creating a domino effect that leads to a buildup of delays and cancellations of scheduled flights.

Economic impacts and the suffering of travelers

These disruptions are casting a long shadow over India's travel and tourism sector, with Delhi Airport serving as a major hub for both international and domestic flights. Flight cancellations are resulting in financial losses for airlines and increased operating costs, as well as hardship for thousands of stranded passengers who are forced to endure long waits or reschedule their flights, impacting their personal and professional commitments. Authorities consistently advise travelers during this peak season to check their flight status before heading to the airport to avoid unnecessary delays.