Delhi Airport authorities have issued an advisory warning passengers of potential disruptions to flights not compliant with CAT III standards amidst ongoing low visibility conditions caused by dense fog.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the authorities clarified, “While landings and take-offs continue at Delhi airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may be affected.”
Guidance for Passengers
Passengers were urged to contact their respective airlines for real-time updates on flight schedules. The advisory added, “Passengers are requested to contact the airlines for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.”
IndiGo airlines also released a similar advisory, cautioning passengers about the possibility of delays.
“#6ETravelAdvisory: A blanket of fog wraps Delhi’s cold winter morning and may impact flight schedules. If you or your loved ones are traveling, we recommend checking the flight status before heading to the airport. Safe travels,” IndiGo posted on X.
Passengers were advised to monitor flight statuses and allocate additional travel time to the airport to ensure a hassle-free journey.
Understanding CAT III Standards
CAT III (Category III) is an advanced instrument landing system that ensures aircraft can safely land and take off in poor visibility conditions. However, flights not equipped with CAT III capabilities may face operational delays during such weather.
Impact of Weather Conditions
The advisory follows days of dense fog and a cold wave in Delhi, compounded by moderate rainfall earlier in the week. At 5:30 am on Wednesday, visibility in the city was recorded at a mere 100 meters.
Previously, on December 19, airport authorities had issued a similar alert, urging passengers to remain in touch with airlines for updates while ensuring that low visibility procedures were in effect.