Dense fog disrupts flight operations at Delhi airport

A SpiceJet Airlines aircraft flies past newly-constructed hotels on the way to landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi April 1, 2013. A number of the 12 newly-built or planned hotels next to India's busiest airport, at a cost totalling more than $2 billion, have been unable to open as they await security clearance from police worried about their proximity to an active runway. The cluster of hotels known as Aerocity, on a site bigger than 40 American football fields, was approved by the government six years ago. Picture taken April 1, 2013. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi (INDIA - Tags: BUSINESS CONSTRUCTION REAL ESTATE TRAVEL TRANSPORT) - RTXY6LK

Dense fog enveloped several parts of the national capital, leading to disruption in flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here. Arrivals and departures have largely been put on hold at the IGI airport.

Two flights were also diverted between 5.30 AM and 8.30 AM.

"Flight operations have largely been put on hold. Very few aircraft are departing and that too on the basis of their size, visibility and ATC (air traffic control) clearance for taking off," an airport official said.

According to the official, departures were completely put on hold from 5.30 AM to 7 AM and arrivals happened only intermittently in between 6 AM to 7.20 AM. Departures were not allowed even after 7 AM due to dense fog.

One of the flights diverted from the IGI airport was coming from Singapore. It was diverted to Kolkata, he said.

At Delhi, the minimum runway visibility required for take off is 125 metres.

The Delhi airport was facing low visibility conditions since 4 AM January 18 due to dense fog, the official said.

Vistara Airlines tweeted at 8.23 AM on January 18 that "due to dense fog and poor visibility in Delhi, delays are expected for both arrivals and departures with likely consequential impact on flights across network".

"Currently, flight departures from Delhi are on hold and will resume by 0930 hrs subject to weather clearance," it added.