Delhi airport flight update: Over 80 flights delayed at IGI airport; 11-hour LVP conditions hit operations

Delhi airport flight update: The onset of winters brings foggy weather conditions, which not just compel residents of Delhi to stay indoors, but also hit transport services, including airlines and train services. The effect has been quite negative at IGI airport in Delhi, where flight operations have been affected to a large extent.

According to reports, as many as five flights were diverted, while 84 had a delayed departure. Two domestic flights were cancelled due to the Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) at Delhi airport. Three international and two domestic flights were also diverted.

An IANS report said that severe to heavy fog conditions trigger LVP at the airport, when visibility for flight operations is reduced to around 50 meters, adding that the LVP duration was around 11 hours and lasted till 12.15 pm today. 

At the IGI, the three runways-- 28, 29 and 11 -- are reportedly certified for 'CAT III B' operations, which would allow landing of the compliant aircraft with visibility as low as 50 meters.

According to a Delhi airport official, since the Low Visibility Take Off (LVTO) requirement is not being fulfilled, departure of flights were on hold for two hours from around 0715 hours, adding that departure of flights resumed at 0916 hours.

Meanwhile, foggy conditions are known to reduce flight operations on an hourly basis by up to 40 per cent on a global average.

Notably, the Indira Gandhi International Airport is the busiest in the country, On an average, the airport sees more than 70 flight movements per hour, including both arrivals and departures. It, however, handles as many as 1,330 flight movements on a daily basis.