NEW DELHI: Dense fog, which led to zero visibility for over eight hours, severely impacted flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday, marking the third consecutive day of disruptions. The fog persisted for 12 hours, causing visibility at the airport to drop to 0 metres, with the runway visibility range (RVR) fluctuating between 100 and 250 metres.
Senior weather scientist RK Jenamani said Delhi recorded the longest duration of zero visibility this season, with a nine-hour stretch from 11.30 pm on Friday, January 3, 2024, to 8.30 am on Saturday, January 4, 2025. “The fog conditions were extremely dense, with all RVRs across the four runways ranging from 100-250 metres, impacting flight operations during this period,” Jenamani said.
Despite the severe weather, officials reported that flight operations were gradually restored, starting from 1.30 am, with only minor delays. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipates similar foggy conditions in northwest India on Sunday, which could continue to affect flight schedules.
According to FlightRadar24, over 400 flights were delayed, with an average delay of 34 minutes. Airport officials said that 19 flights, of which two were international, were diverted while some flights were cancelled. However, around 45 flights were cancelled either due to bad weather at the destination or other operational reasons from Delhi, airport officials added.
“Due to adverse weather conditions in Delhi, 19 flight diversions were reported between 12.15 am and 1.30 am on Tuesday. Thirteen domestic, four international, and two non-scheduled flights were diverted to Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Mumbai,” said airport officials.
Airport authorities also implemented low visibility procedures (LVP) to facilitate safe landings in reduced visibility. Under these measures, CAT-I, which involves basic set of precautions, are initiated for visibility above 550 metres. CAT-II pilots can land with visibility between 275 and 550 metres, and CAT-III A and B pilots are authorised to land when the visibility is even as low as 50 metres.
