PANAJI: A Delhi-bound Air India Express flight from Goa was diverted to Ahmedabad last night after dense fog over the national capital disrupted flight operations.
The flight departed from Goa’s Mopa Airport at 11.55 pm and was scheduled to land at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 1 at 2.35 am. It was rerouted to Ahmedabad instead, as Jaipur Airport, another possible diversion point, was already congested due to several flights being diverted there earlier.
Delhi experienced a thick layer of fog this morning, prompting advisories from both the airport operator and airlines. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for very dense fog, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 22°C and 7°C.
IGI Airport stated that flight operations were being conducted under CAT III instrument landing system conditions due to poor visibility, warning passengers about possible delays and cancellations.
“Flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which may result in delays and cancellations. Our ground teams are actively assisting passengers to ensure smooth travel. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused,” the airport advisory said.
Air India said it had anticipated the weather disruption and taken measures to minimise inconvenience. The airline highlighted its ‘FogCare’ initiative, which alerts passengers on select flights booked during fog-prone windows, allowing them to reschedule without extra charges or seek a full refund.
Passengers were advised to check flight status before leaving for the airport and allow extra travel time, as winter fog tends to intensify during early morning hours. IndiGo and other airlines operating to and from Delhi also issued travel advisories, noting that operations may be slower than usual while safety and visibility requirements are strictly maintained.
