New Delhi/Ahmedabad, Dec 29 : A Delhi-bound Air India Express flight from Goa was diverted to Ahmedabad in the early hours due to dense fog over the national capital, which severely impacted visibility and disrupted flight operations, officials said.
The flight took off from Goa’s Mopa Airport at 11:55 pm and was scheduled to land at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) Terminal 1 at 2:35 am. However, worsening visibility conditions in Delhi forced the diversion, they said.
Sources said the aircraft was not diverted to Jaipur as the airport was already congested following multiple fog-related diversions. A thick layer of fog engulfed Delhi, affecting airline schedules and leading to delays and cancellations across carriers.
Delhi airport operator DIAL said flight operations were being conducted under CAT III Instrument Landing System conditions due to poor visibility. “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 for any inconvenience caused,” the airport said in an advisory.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for very dense fog, forecasting maximum and minimum temperatures around 22 degrees Celsius and 7 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Air India said foggy conditions across parts of northern India, including Delhi, were likely to affect flight operations. The airline said it had taken proactive measures to minimise disruption and highlighted its ‘FogCare’ initiative, under which passengers on select flights receive advance alerts, along with options for free rescheduling or full refunds during fog-affected periods.
Low visibility conditions also prompted other airlines to issue advisories. IndiGo said Delhi and Hindon airports were experiencing winter fog with fluctuating visibility, cautioning that operations could be slower than usual. The airline added that ground teams were prioritising safety and ensuring strict compliance with visibility norms.
Passengers were advised to check their flight status before leaving for the airport and to allow extra time for travel as fog conditions continue to impact operations.
