As winter settles in across India, the aviation industry braces itself for the annual challenge of low visibility due to dense fog, especially in North India. From December to January, fog frequently blankets major airports like Delhi, Lucknow, and Patna, creating a host of concerns for passengers and airlines alike.
For travelers, booking a flight into the region often carries an undercurrent of anxiety: will the flight land on time, or at all? Will delays disrupt their tight schedules or cause missed connections? For many, these questions are no longer hypothetical but a tangible part of the travel experience during the winter months.
Airports in North India, particularly the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, face the brunt of this challenge. Flights often struggle to take off or land as pilots rely on visibility for safe navigation. Despite the technological advancements in aviation, low visibility caused by fog still presents a serious risk to flight schedules, leading to significant delays and cancellations. The heavy fog can reduce visibility to the point where aircraft are unable to perform standard approaches, forcing them to circle airports or divert to alternative destinations.
In response, Indian airports have made investments in advanced Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and other navigational technologies to improve the safety of flights during these times. However, such equipment has its limitations and cannot always overcome the natural barriers that weather poses. Airlines too have taken steps, including introducing buffer times and adjusting schedules to accommodate potential delays.
The battle against low visibility is further complicated by the high volume of air traffic during the winter season. With thousands of flights operating daily, any disruption in one flight’s schedule can have a ripple effect, causing delays to other flights and resulting in a cascade of disruptions.
Despite the challenges, the Indian aviation industry is working tirelessly to ensure that safety remains the priority. Airlines and airports continue to collaborate to improve handling procedures during foggy conditions, though there is no quick fix. The issue remains a significant part of the Indian aviation landscape each winter, testing the resilience of both the industry and its passengers.
