- Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Between the midnights of December 24-25 and 27-28 last year, Delhi Airport experienced over 50 diversions due to fog-induced low visibility.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA’S civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday (4) issued a show-cause notice to Air India and SpiceJet airlines in response to the rostering of pilots who were not compliant with CAT III standards during periods of low visibility at Delhi airport, resulting in numerous diversions of flights bound for the Indian capital.
A senior DGCA official confirmed the issuance of the notice, revealing that the investigation found a significant number of flight diversions at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi were primarily caused by these airlines scheduling pilots who lacked CAT III compliance. These pilots were not adequately trained to handle take-offs or landings in conditions of low visibility.
Between the midnights of December 24-25 and 27-28 last year, Delhi Airport experienced over 50 diversions due to fog-induced low visibility.
“The airlines have been asked to reply within fifteen days,” the official added.
On December 26, Flight operations at IGI Airport were severely affected as visibility dropped to 50 meters.
According to airport sources, the 50-meter visibility is considered zero visibility. There was a slight improvement in visibility at 8.30 am when visibility was 75 meters, but it again dropped to 50 meters.
“While landings and take-offs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” the advisory issued by Delhi airport said.
The airport authorities had initiated the anti-fog landing system, technically called the CAT-III Instrument Landing System (ILS).
The CAT III system helps with a precision approach and landing when the runway visibility level is low.
(With ANI inputs)
