On Monday, 15 flights were enforced to divert from landing at Indra Gandhi International Airport, Delhi by the thick smog occurring due to excessive pollution and sudden decrease in temperature. Due to lack of experienced captains under CAT-III Operation, poor visibility caused them to land at Jaipur, the remaining 2 were landed at Dehradun and Lucknow each, confirms Delhi International Airport Limited [DIAL].
CAT-III is an aircraft landing operation where the captains land with guidance of Instrument Landing System [ILS] during thick smog or unpleasant weather. ILS helps the aircraft to land with a decision height lower than 100ft or above the ground level from where the runway is visible clearly. Among the flights affected AirIndia, Indigo, Spicejet were also present.
Delhi airports are experiencing dense fog, causing many airports to cancel there flights and divert those aircrafts which are scheduled to land in Delhi. Around 11pm on Sunday, visibility dropped to 100-150m at IGI Airport and same phenomena occurred at Safdarjung Airport during the same period. AirIndia says in there post “Poor visibility in Delhi and some parts of northern India are affecting flight operations to and from Delhi today. Guests are advised to start early for the airport, as slow traffic may delay your movement,”.
Similarly other Airlines such as Indigo and Spicejet also posted on the matter, says due to dense smog many flights will face late departures/arrivals and location of the landing might be altered.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) responsible for forecasting weather forecasting says that India is facing a maximum temperature of 25-27 degrees Celsius while a minimum temperature from 11-16 degree. There has been a rise of 2-4 degree Celsius in comparison to normal minimum temperature and a descend of 1-2 degree in maximum temperature. Government suggest to drive slowly with fog lights on, as dense fog is expected in the morning with light breeze and little fog at evening.
