Thick blankets of fog have thrown air travel into chaos across northern India, with Varanasi and Prayagraj airports bearing the brunt of the disruption. Passengers faced hours-long delays and cancellations as visibility plummeted to near zero early Wednesday morning.
IndiGo Airlines, India’s largest carrier, swiftly responded by issuing a travel advisory, urging passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airports. ‘Due to low visibility caused by dense fog, operations at Varanasi and Prayagraj airports are severely impacted,’ the advisory stated, highlighting the risks to safe takeoffs and landings.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecasted moderate to dense fog in Uttar Pradesh for several days, but the intensity caught many off guard. At Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, over a dozen flights were delayed, stranding thousands of travelers. Prayagraj’s Bamrauli Airport reported similar woes, with incoming flights diverted to Lucknow and other hubs.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of frustration at terminals, where families with young children and business professionals waited anxiously for updates. Airport authorities deployed additional staff to manage crowds and provide refreshments, but tempers flared amid the uncertainty.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Winter fog has long plagued north Indian aviation, costing airlines millions in delays and diversions. Last year, similar conditions led to over 1,000 flight disruptions nationwide. Experts call for advanced fog-piercing technologies like CAT-III instrument landing systems, though implementation remains slow.
As the sun rose higher, visibility improved marginally, allowing some flights to resume. However, forecasters warn of recurring fog through the week. IndiGo advised booking flexible tickets and opting for trains or road travel where possible. Travelers are heeding the call, with many rescheduling trips to avoid the haze-induced nightmare.
In a broader context, this fog season underscores India’s aviation infrastructure challenges. While airports expand runways and terminals, battling nature’s whims remains a persistent hurdle. Passengers can only hope for clearer skies ahead.