Bengaluru: As dense fog enveloped parts of the city in the early hours of Monday, flight operations at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) were significantly disrupted, leading to delays and cancellations that affected hundreds of passengers. According to airport sources, a total of 48 flights were delayed due to low visibility conditions, highlighting once again the challenges winter weather poses to air travel across major Indian hubs.
Early morning disruptions due to low visibility
The flight delays were recorded between 4:14 am and 10:30 am, a time window that is particularly vulnerable to fog during the winter months. Of the 48 delayed flights, two were international services while the remaining were domestic flights operating across various Indian cities. Passengers reported extended waiting times at terminals, with some departures being pushed back by more than an hour.
Airport officials attributed the disruption primarily to dense fog, which reduced visibility levels and forced pilots and air traffic controllers to exercise additional caution. Low visibility impacts not only landings but also aircraft movement on taxiways, often creating a cascading effect on flight schedules throughout the morning.
CAT III-B system and operational challenges
Kempegowda International Airport is technically well-equipped to handle adverse weather conditions. Both its north and south runways are fitted with the advanced CAT III-B Instrument Landing System (ILS). This system provides highly accurate lateral and vertical guidance to pilots, allowing aircraft to land safely even when visibility is extremely low.
Despite the presence of this technology, airport authorities explained that flight operations can still be affected during dense fog episodes. While CAT III-B enables safer landings, not all aircraft and flight crews are certified to operate under such conditions. Additionally, congestion builds up when multiple flights attempt to land or depart within a narrow time frame, slowing overall operations.
Cancellations linked to weather in Delhi
In addition to the delays, four flights scheduled to operate between Bengaluru and Delhi were cancelled. Officials clarified that these cancellations were not due to local conditions alone but were linked to extreme weather disruptions in the national capital. Dense fog in Delhi led to widespread delays and cancellations there, which in turn affected aircraft rotation and availability in Bengaluru.
Such knock-on effects are common during winter, when northern India experiences severe fog episodes. Airlines often have to cancel or reschedule flights to manage crew duty hours, aircraft positioning and passenger safety, leading to inconvenience for travellers even in cities where weather conditions may be comparatively better.
A recurring winter pattern
This is not an isolated incident for Bengaluru airport. Since early November, KIA has witnessed several instances of flight delays during the early morning hours due to fog and mist. While the city does not experience fog as frequently or intensely as northern regions, winter mornings often bring reduced visibility that affects flight schedules.
Passengers have increasingly been advised to check flight status before heading to the airport, especially for early morning departures. Airlines have also been sending alerts and updates to minimise inconvenience, though last-minute changes remain difficult to avoid during unpredictable weather conditions.
Impact on passengers and airlines
For passengers, such disruptions often mean missed connections, rescheduled plans and extended waiting times at airports. Business travellers and those with onward international connections are particularly affected, as even minor delays can have wider implications on travel itineraries.
Airlines, on the other hand, face operational and financial pressures during prolonged weather disruptions. Delays lead to higher fuel consumption on the ground, increased staffing costs and, in some cases, compensation or accommodation arrangements for affected passengers.
Conclusion
Monday’s fog-related delays at Kempegowda International Airport underscore the recurring challenges faced by aviation authorities and airlines during the winter season. While advanced landing systems like CAT III-B significantly enhance safety, weather-related disruptions remain difficult to eliminate entirely. As winter progresses, passengers travelling during early morning hours may need to remain prepared for potential delays, while airlines and airport authorities continue to balance safety with operational efficiency.