Dehradun Airport: Dense Fog Disrupts Flight Operations at Dehradun Airport, Causing Major Delays and Diversions
Dehradun Airport: Air travel at Dehradun Airport faced significant disruption on Monday as dense fog reduced visibility levels throughout the day. The weather conditions affected both arriving and scheduled flights, leading to long delays and multiple diversions. Passengers experienced inconvenience due to extended waiting times, unexpected route changes, and uncertainty regarding arrivals. Airport authorities and airline operators continued to monitor the situation closely as visibility fluctuated from morning to evening.
Morning Operations Affected by Low Visibility
The day began with challenging weather conditions at Dehradun Airport, also known as Jolly Grant Airport. Dense fog early in the morning caused visibility to drop below safe landing limits. As a result, several inbound flights were delayed. A total of six flights arrived behind schedule during the morning hours, impacting passenger plans and airport operations.
One of the most affected flights was the service arriving from Ahmedabad. Scheduled to land at 7:55 am, the aircraft was delayed by nearly five and a half hours and finally touched down at 1:25 pm. Such a long delay highlighted the severity of the fog conditions and their impact on aviation safety protocols.
Delays Continue for Multiple Domestic Flights
Other flights also faced notable delays due to the same weather conditions. The Jaipur to Dehradun flight, scheduled for arrival at 9:45 am, landed at 12:44 pm, while the Hyderabad flight, expected at 11:10 am, arrived close to 1:00 pm. Though these delays were shorter compared to the Ahmedabad flight, they still caused inconvenience for travelers, especially those with connecting journeys or time-sensitive commitments.
Flights from Kolkata and Pune were relatively less affected but still experienced delays. The Kolkata flight arrived 29 minutes late, while the Pune flight landed approximately 36 minutes behind schedule. These delays collectively contributed to congestion at the airport and increased pressure on ground handling staff.
Evening Fog Leads to Flight Diversions
As the day progressed, visibility conditions improved briefly before deteriorating again in the evening. Dense fog once more enveloped the airport area, making safe landings difficult. During this period, several evening flights were unable to land and had to be diverted.
The flight from Lucknow, scheduled to arrive at 4:55 pm, attempted to land by circling the airport multiple times. However, due to persistently low visibility, the pilot decided to divert the aircraft back to Lucknow in the interest of passenger safety. This decision, though necessary, caused further inconvenience for travelers.
Mumbai and Delhi Flights Also Diverted
Similar challenges were faced by flights arriving from Mumbai and Delhi. The Mumbai flight, expected at 6:20 pm, could not land and was diverted, while the Delhi flight scheduled for 7:10 pm also had to return to its origin. These diversions resulted in frustration among passengers, many of whom had already spent hours in transit.
Airport officials emphasized that safety remains the top priority, and such decisions are made strictly in accordance with aviation safety guidelines. While diversions and delays are inconvenient, they are essential during adverse weather conditions to avoid any potential risks.
Impact on Passengers and Airport Management
The prolonged foggy conditions posed operational challenges for airport management, airlines, and ground staff. Passengers were advised to stay updated through official airline communication channels regarding flight schedules. Many travelers expressed concerns over inadequate visibility updates and extended waiting times.
With winter conditions intensifying in northern regions, fog-related disruptions are expected to remain a concern. Authorities are working on improving navigation systems and operational readiness to minimize future disruptions, but weather remains an unpredictable factor.