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IndiGo Faces New Flight Disruptions Amid Winter Fog
IndiGo, India's largest airline, cancelled 67 flights across various airports on Thursday. The airline cited forecasted adverse weather conditions, primarily fog, and limited operational reasons for the cancellations. This latest disruption adds to a period of turbulence for the airline, which is already under close observation by the aviation regulator.
The majority of the cancellations were linked to anticipated poor weather, with only a small fraction attributed to operational issues. Airports in Agartala, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Varanasi, and Bengaluru were among those affected by the schedule changes.
Navigating the Fog Season
The cancellations coincide with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officially designated winter fog season, running from December 10 to February 10. This period typically challenges flight operations due to low visibility, particularly in northern and eastern India.
Under DGCA guidelines, airlines must be prepared for low-visibility landings. This includes ensuring pilots are trained for CAT-IIIB operations and that aircraft are equipped with Category-III landing systems. These advanced systems allow aircraft to land safely even in dense fog, with CAT-III-B enabling operations when runway visual range drops below 50 metres.
Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny
These fresh cancellations occur while IndiGo's operations remain under DGCA monitoring. Earlier in December, the airline experienced widespread disruptions, leading to thousands of passengers being stranded. In response, the DGCA launched an inquiry.
IndiGo is currently operating a revised winter schedule. A government directive mandated a 10% reduction in its domestic operations following the earlier mass cancellations. This brought the airline's daily domestic flights down to approximately 1,930, from its originally planned 2,144 flights per day.
Past Disruptions and Investigation
Thousands of flights were cancelled by IndiGo between December 1 and December 9. The DGCA attributed these to inadequate planning and crew shortages during the implementation of new pilot duty and rest regulations that took effect on November 1. The widespread inconvenience led to the formation of a four-member inquiry panel by the DGCA.
The panel, comprising senior DGCA officials, has already questioned IndiGo's CEO Pieter Elbers and Chief Operating Officer Isidre Porqueras. The findings are expected later this week.
Passenger Frustration Mounts
IndiGo issued a travel advisory on social media platform X acknowledging the impact of low visibility and fog over Bengaluru on its flight schedule. The airline stated it was monitoring the weather closely. However, passengers expressed significant frustration over repeated delays and the lack of acceptable explanations or compensation, especially for those travelling with elderly family members.
Impact
This situation negatively impacts passenger confidence in IndiGo and the broader aviation sector. Further disruptions could lead to increased costs for the airline due to potential compensation and reputational damage, and may also draw further regulatory action. An impact rating of 7 out of 10 reflects the significant operational and regulatory challenges faced by the airline.
Difficult Terms Explained
- DGCA: Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India's aviation regulatory body responsible for safety standards and operations.
- CAT-III: Category-III landing system, an advanced aircraft instrument landing system enabling landings in very low visibility conditions like dense fog.
- RVR: Runway Visual Range, a measurement of the horizontal distance visible along a runway, crucial for landing decisions during poor weather.