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Delhi Fog Grounds Flights Post-Diwali
10 Nov
Summary
- Delhi Airport activated its first low visibility procedure of the season.
- Nearly 44% of departing flights faced delays around Diwali night.
- CAT-III runway technology doesn't guarantee no delays.
Following Diwali celebrations, dense smog and shallow fog led to the activation of the first Low Visibility Procedure (LVP) at Delhi Airport for the 2026-27 winter season. This precautionary safety measure disrupted flight operations, with approximately 44% of departing flights experiencing delays on November 8 and 9. The average delay stood around 20 minutes.
Despite Delhi Airport's Category III (CAT-III) equipped runways designed for poor visibility, flight operations are not guaranteed to proceed without interruption. Factors such as runway visual range (RVR), specific aircraft equipment, airline authorizations, and pilot qualifications are critical for safe landings and takeoffs.
Data from Flightradar24 on November 10 indicated an average delay of 13 minutes, with 14% of flights delayed and 2% cancelled. These figures, however, do not solely attribute disruptions to visibility, as other operational factors can also contribute. Shallow fog was recorded with visibility dropping to approximately 600 meters early on Tuesday.
National efforts are underway to mitigate winter fog impacts, including reviews by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and preparedness measures from airlines and airports. These include ensuring aircraft and pilot readiness for low-visibility operations and maintaining essential runway infrastructure.
