In a rather expected turn of events, dense fog descended upon Delhi on December 25, casting a veil of zero visibility over the city. The repercussions were felt acutely at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, where flight operations grappled with significant disruptions.The meteorological report: Zero visibility and CAT IIIB operationsThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) flagged the prevalence of very dense fog, impacting the airport from the early hours of the morning. The Runway Visual Range (RVR) on all runways plummeted to a mere 125 to 175 meters, triggering the implementation of CAT IIIB operations for takeoffs and landings.#WeatherUpdate | Recent Satellite imagery (RGB composite 0815 hrs IST/25th December) detected fog conditions over the encircled areas including parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh, North Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Andhra… pic.twitter.com/kBPDEPx8vn— DD News (@DDNewslive) December 25, 2023As the day progressed, the foggy conditions showed signs of improvement. Around 9:45 AM, the runway visibility surpassed 500 meters, offering a respite to the aviation authorities grappling with the adverse weather.Flight delays and diversionsThe dense fog led to substantial delays and diversions for flights, creating a domino effect on schedules since the early morning hours. Both domestic and international flights bore the brunt of the challenging conditions, with pilots having to navigate carefully through the limited visibility.Reports indicated that numerous flights faced delays, and some were diverted to nearby airports as pilots encountered the intricate challenges posed by the dense fog. SpiceJet, one of the prominent airlines, issued a cautionary statement, alerting passengers about potential disruptions to both departures and arrivals due to the prevailing weather conditions.About IMDs CAT IIIB OperationsThe use of CAT IIIB operations is a testament to the adaptability of aviation authorities in the face of adverse weather. This advanced technology enables aircraft to take off and land in extremely low visibility conditions, showcasing the commitment to passenger safety amid challenging circumstances.The disruptions at Delhis airport underscore the resilience of the flight industry, which often contends with unpredictable weather conditions. The ability to adapt and implement measures like CAT IIIB operations reflects the dedication to maintaining safety standards despite external challenges.
