Dense fog again hits flight schedules at New Delhi airport

Thick fog once again affected air operations at the IGI airport today with schedules of over 70 domestic and international flights being disrupted.

"Around 32 flights have been rescheduled and six have been cancelled while several others were delayed due to dense fog at the airport," an airport official said.

The fog started to descend at the airport around 1.30 am, reducing the general visibility to zero. The runway visibility was above 600 metres.

The fog begin to thicken in the wee hours and the runway visibility dropped to 75 metres.

Yesterday, Delhi airport witnessed chaos as over 200 flights were delayed, 25 cancelled and 28 diverted.
   
A number of morning flights were delayed by over three to four hours while a few operated using the CAT-III B instrument landing system.

The poor visibility conditions have badly hit the schedules of several international flights departing at night and early morning.

In view of the fog, Emirates has reschedule all its flights to Dubai from the national capital till January 25.
   
Passengers and airlines might get some respite from delays as unlike yesterday, the Delhi airspace would not remain closed for an hour for Republic Day rehearsals today.

The Met department has forecast that the foggy conditions would continue for the next the two days due to high moisture content in the air.

"The weather may change from January 24, when the western disturbance could become active," Director-in-charge of the Airport Met Department said.