Dense Fog Disrupts Air Travel in Lucknow

Overview of Recent Flight Disruptions

LUCKNOW: Over the past few winter mornings, dense fog has caused significant travel disruptions in Lucknow for incoming flights, particularly impacting an Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX 8. On January 2 and January 4, this flight repeatedly circled the city, unable to land due to poor visibility.

Flight IX217’s Challenging Journey

On January 4, flight IX217 arrived in Lucknow at 6:42 AM but faced a runway visual range (RVR) of only 125 meters. This measurement is substantially below the DGCA-mandated minimum of 150 meters required for a safe landing.

Holding Pattern: A Test of Patience

The pilots hoped that the fog would lift and kept the aircraft in a holding pattern, circling the city 11 times for 78 minutes. Unfortunately, when conditions did not improve, the aircraft was forced to turn back to Delhi, landing at 8:55 AM.

Delayed Arrivals and Further Disruptions

The fog not only affected flight IX217; several other flights were delayed as well. SalamAir OV705 from Muscat landed over 90 minutes late at 5:16 AM, while two Air India Express flights—IX2048 from Bengaluru and IX1026 from Mumbai—arrived between one to three hours behind schedule.

Repeated Circumstances on January 2

On January 2, flight IX2171 encountered similar challenges, arriving in Lucknow at 6:18 AM. The flight circled the city for 93 minutes, making 17 loops in the hope of finding a break in the fog, but the visibility issues persisted.

Conclusion

These recent events underscore the impact of weather conditions on air travel and highlight the need for adaptive strategies in dealing with adverse weather situations. Travelers are advised to stay updated on flight statuses during winter months, where fog can frequently disrupt schedules.