Northern India’s aviation hubs in Varanasi and Prayagraj woke up to a foggy fiasco Wednesday, with dense mist blanketing runways and derailing flight plans. IndiGo Airlines led the response with a comprehensive travel advisory amid the visibility crisis.
Operations halted as fog reduced sightlines to mere tens of meters. ‘Severe disruptions anticipated at VNS and IXD due to extreme low visibility,’ read the alert, posted across digital channels. IndiGo encouraged web check-ins and status checks to ease terminal congestion.
The scale was staggering. Varanasi Airport logged 18 delays and 5 cancellations by noon. Prayagraj’s facility diverted 7 incoming flights, stranding passengers in limbo. Connecting flights to southern cities amplified the delays across networks.
Passengers shared harrowing tales online—missed meetings, ruined vacations, endless waits. Airport lounges overflowed, with staff rationing snacks amid rising complaints.
Root causes trace to winter meteorology: cold air trapping moisture near the ground. IMD data reveals Uttar Pradesh records India’s highest fog days, peaking at 30+ annually. Climate patterns suggest intensifying frequency.
IndiGo, proactive as ever, deployed backup crews and offered waivers. The low-cost leader’s fleet, partially fitted with advanced avionics, still bowed to airport limitations.
Regulatory bodies swung into action. Ministry of Civil Aviation convened an emergency review, enforcing strict delay compensation rules. Airports bolstered with extra lighting and sensors.
Sunlight eventually thinned the fogbanks, resuming limited flights. Forecasts predict intermittent clears through Friday, but caution prevails.
Beyond immediate fixes, long-term strategies emerge: fog-resistant runways, drone-based weather scouting. This fog frenzy reaffirms aviation’s vulnerability in India’s heartland.
Travelers, take note—winter skies demand vigilance. With smart planning, even the thickest fog can’t ground your journey entirely.