Dense fog engulfs IGI airport; 50 flights delayed

NEW DELHI: Dense fog today enveloped the IGI airport disrupting flight operations as around 50 of them were delayed causing inconvenience to passengers.

A thick blanket of fog descended at the airport at around midnight and visibility dipped to a low of 50 metres in the morning between 8 AM and 930 AM on runways 29/11 and 27/09.

The poor visibility made the two runways unusable and forced the airport authorities to implement low visibility procedures.

The runway visibility on the main runway was also less than 50 metres at Dwarka side.

A total of 289 flights operated during the LVP period which lasted for about 12 hours on the main runway and for 10 hours on the new runway.

A total of 242 flights operated under CAT I conditions, 10 under CAT II, one under CAT III A conditions and 36 under CAT III B, an airport official said.

However, the visibility increased later in the day. But it suddenly dipped at around 5 AM and 530 AM from 2000 metres to 500 metres due to sudden formation of fog.

"This dense fog spell has been still happening in advance sector due to approaching Western disturbance.

The sudden fog formed due to change in wind direction from dry westerly to moist easterly," airport Met director R K Jenamani said.

Met has predicted dense fog for tomorrow morning and flight operations may also remain affected.