Fog forces airlines to reschedule flights

For the second consecutive day, fog disrupted air traffic in Delhi. According to airport sources, services at Delhi airport had to be closed for nearly three hours this morning due to poor visibility.

About 50 fights""both domestic and international""have either been delayed or diverted.

"Airport operations were restored by about 10.00 am. 'There has been a disruption of services due to fog. Some flights were also canceled," said an Indian Airlines executive, adding that the state-run carrier operated about 7 flights using the CAT III B instrument- assisted landing system.

According to a Jet Airways statement, there was a delay of four to five hours for each morning flight of the carrier leaving Delhi.

"Delhi airport was closed from 9 am to 11 am due to heavy fog. A thick fog enveloped Jaipur airport also, impairing visibility, and no flights could operate between 9 am and 10 am," a Jet Airways statement said, adding that the delays in Delhi has resulted in delays in its other operations as well.

The Airports Authority of India has implemented the CAT III B instrument-assisted landing system in the Delhi airport. The government has also instructed Indian carriers to train pilots on the CAT III B instrument assisted landing systems.

Meanwhile, airlines "" both domestic and international ""are expected to reschedule operations to north India, to avoid inconvenience to travelers.

For example, Air Deccan today said that some of its flights operating in north India would be re-scheduled and cancelled, owing to poor visibility due to fog and bad weather conditions. International carriers like British Airways has announced changes in its flight schedules to minimise the impact of fog.

"We have decided to change the flight schedule in advance, in order to minimise any inconveniences caused to our passengers on account of flight delays due to fog," said Alok Sawhney, commercial manager, British Airways.