New Delhi, 15th January 2024: Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia took to Twitter today to address the unprecedented fog that engulfed Delhi, causing visibility challenges and prompting a temporary shutdown of operations at the airport. The adverse weather conditions impacted even CAT III runways, leading to disruptions between 5 AM and 9 AM.
Prioritizing passenger safety, authorities made the decision to halt operations temporarily, underscoring the collective commitment to ensuring the well-being of passengers within the aviation ecosystem.
In response to the challenges faced, Minister Scindia announced the initiation of several measures to address and mitigate future occurrences. Delhi Airport has received directives to expedite the operationalization of the CAT III-enabled 4th runway, pending approval by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Additionally, the DGCA will release a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for airlines, focusing on improved communication and facilitation for passengers to minimize discomfort caused by flight cancellations and delays due to adverse weather conditions.
Minister Scindia urged travelers to remain patient and understanding during this challenging period, assuring that all stakeholders are working tirelessly to minimize passenger inconvenience. He specifically addressed incidents of unruly behavior, deeming them unacceptable and promising strong action in accordance with existing legal provisions.
