Second morning of flight disruptions due to fog

New Delhi — Dense fog enveloped Delhi airport for the second consecutive morning Tuesday, forcing airlines to cancel dozens of flights and reschedule many more as air travellers were stranded for hours waiting for the mist to clear.

The fog, which settled on the airport on Dec 31 evening, has greatly reduced runway visibility.

Around eight flights were cancelled Tuesday, including one Jet Airways flight to Jaipur. One each of Deccan and Indigo were also cancelled.

Since Monday, a total of 58 flights have been diverted to places like Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

“Currently, the runway visibility is fluctuating between 450 metres and 700 metres,” said a spokesman of the Delhi International Airport Limited.

“Since Dec 31 night, only one runway is working due to poor visibility. Special procedures that help flights to land and take off are on use since then.”

“In the last two days, 36 domestic arrivals and 50 departures have been cancelled. Two international – one departure and arrival each – have also been cancelled in the New Year,” he said.

According to the spokesman, necessary arrangements have been made for passengers’ comfort. However, stranded passengers said the airlines were not responding to their queries and authorities have not made arrangements for food.

“They did not inform us in advance and when we reached here they said the flight has been delayed due to fog. This is pathetic service on their part,” said an angry passenger who was to fly to Bangalore.

Several other passengers joined him complaining that they are yet to get a “cup of coffee”.

“Airlines officials are not even talking to us politely,” many complained.

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