Shruti Suman
The dense fog in the national capital has adversely affected air traffic, leading to diversions and delays for several flights. In response to this situation, Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced on Monday that the government is implementing a series of measures to alleviate the impact. Scindia assured the public that all stakeholders are diligently working around the clock to minimize the impact of fog-related disruptions.
Describing the unprecedented foggy conditions in Delhi, Scindia explained that visibility fluctuated for several hours, dropping to zero between 5 AM and 9 AM. This forced authorities to temporarily shut down operations, even on CAT III runways (which cannot handle zero-visibility operations). Emphasizing passenger safety as the top priority in the aviation ecosystem, Scindia conveyed this decision through social media.
In addressing the issue, the aviation minister shared that Delhi Airport has been directed to expedite the operationalization of the CAT III-enabled 4th runway, in addition to the existing CAT III-enabled runway, to meet the approval standards of the DGCA.
Furthermore, Scindia mentioned that the DGCA will issue a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for airlines, focusing on improved communication and passenger facilitation to minimize discomfort caused by flight cancellations and delays due to adverse weather conditions.
Amidst these challenges, Scindia requested understanding from travelers during this difficult period. Additionally, he addressed the recent incident of a passenger assaulting an IndiGo pilot, emphasizing that such unruly behavior is unacceptable and will be dealt with firmly according to existing legal provisions.
