Vantage | What's behind the chaos at Indian airports?

In the past 48 hours, social media in India has been abuzz with one predominant story – the chaos unfolding at airports across the country. Delayed flights, stranded passengers and a disturbing incident involving an irate traveler and a co-captain have taken centre stage.

Delhi to Goa flight incident

The focal point of this narrative revolves around a Delhi to Goa flight that experienced a staggering 13-hour delay. Passengers were left waiting inside the plane for an undisclosed period, resulting in frustration and anger. The situation escalated when a co-captain informed the passengers about the delay leading to an unfortunate attack on the crew member.

Fog’s impact on air travel

The primary cause behind the widespread disruptions has been a thick blanket of fog engulfing North India particularly affecting flights departing from New Delhi. The low visibility has crippled operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (I.G.I.), the country’s largest aviation hub. With pilots unable to see the runway, flights faced delays leading to a domino effect on the entire flight schedule.

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Compounding the situation, operational challenges, and runway issues at the Delhi airport have exacerbated the chaos. Of the four runways available, only one is operational due to maintenance work on the second runway. The absence of a crucial system called the Instrument Landing System (ILS) on all runways further hindered flight operations during low visibility conditions.

ILS and runway preparedness

The ILS, akin to a navigation aid in a computer game, guides pilots during low visibility. However, only two out of the four runways at the Delhi airport are equipped with the ILS. This lack of infrastructure has led to the current disruptions, highlighting the need for better planning and preparedness on the part of aviation authorities.

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In the aftermath of the chaos, passengers faced numerous challenges, with nearly 600 flights delayed and 76 cancelled at the New Delhi Airport alone. Connecting flights were missed and frustration mounted among travelers. Harrowing tales surfaced on social media, depicting passengers enduring multiple delays and, in some cases, being trapped inside planes without adequate information or provisions.

Call for urgent action

Recognising the urgency of the situation, Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia outlined an action plan expediting work on the second runway. However, addressing the larger issue requires collaboration between aviation authorities and airlines. Deploying more planes equipped to handle low visibility, training pilots for such conditions and investing in advanced systems like the ILS are crucial steps to prevent future disruptions.

The recent turmoil in Indian airports serves as a wake-up call for the aviation industry to proactively address challenges posed by adverse weather conditions. With the nation aspiring to be an aviation hub, a robust infrastructure, operational efficiency and a passenger-centric approach are imperative. As the fog persists, passengers are left hoping for swift resolutions and a more resilient air travel system in the future.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.

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