Scindia Announces Action Plan to Alleviate Fog-Induced Flight Disruptions at Delhi Airport, Urges Passengers to Stay Calm
Scindia Announces Action Plan to Alleviate Fog-Induced Flight Disruptions at Delhi Airport, Urges Passengers to Stay Calm
In response to the recent criticisms surrounding fog-related disruptions at Delhi Airport, Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has announced a series of measures aimed at improving operations during low-visibility conditions.
Despite facing severe flight disruptions on Monday due to dense fog, Scindia assured passengers that the aviation ministry is actively working to enhance the airport’s capabilities and ensure passenger safety.
In a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Scindia addressed the unprecedented fog situation, stating, “Yesterday, Delhi witnessed unprecedented fog wherein visibility fluctuated for several hours, and at times, dropped to zero between 5 AM to 9 AM.”
Acknowledging the temporary shutdown of CAT III runways, designed for low-visibility operations, Scindia emphasized that the decision was taken to prioritize passenger safety. He outlined specific steps to improve operations, including the immediate operationalization of the CAT III-enabled 4th runway at Delhi Airport, subject to approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India.
Scindia also announced that the DGCA would issue a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for airlines to enhance communication and passenger facilitation during adverse weather conditions, aiming to minimize discomfort caused by flight cancellations and delays.
While urging travelers to remain patient, Scindia warned against unruly behavior, assuring that any such incidents would be dealt with firmly within the framework of existing legal provisions. He stated, “Incidences of unruly behavior amidst this are unacceptable and will be dealt with strongly in line with the existing legal provisions.”
Addressing concerns raised by a social media user regarding the operational status of runways, the Ministry of Aviation (MOA) refuted claims that only one runway was operational and lacked CAT III facilities. The MOA clarified that all three operational runways, including a CAT III runway, were handling flights during the intense fog, albeit with reduced capacity.
The MOA further supported its statement with data on flight movements during the critical hours, emphasizing the operational capability of the CAT III runway and the challenges faced by non-CAT III runways.
