Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): Severe fog blanketed Amritsar late Thursday, leading to significant disruption at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport as multiple flights were delayed or cancelled due to low visibility conditions.
Officials said visibility levels dropped sharply after nightfall, forcing airlines to halt departures for both domestic and international routes. Several aircraft scheduled to fly out after 9 pm remained grounded for hours, while a Kuala Lumpur-bound service was cancelled. Flights headed to Gulf destinations, including Doha, were also affected, with passengers asked to wait for revised departure schedules.
Arriving flights, however, were less impacted. Some inbound aircraft were able to land using the airport’s CAT-III B Instrument Landing System, a technology that enables safe landings during dense fog. Aviation authorities clarified that while the system supports landings, it does not assist take-offs, resulting in prolonged congestion for outbound operations.
The airport’s flight information display showed a series of delays and rescheduled timings through the late night and early morning hours, adding to passenger inconvenience.
Sameep Singh, associated with the FlyAmritsar Initiative, advised travellers to stay updated on their flight status through official airline channels and tracking apps before travelling to the airport.
Airport officials said flight movement is expected to stabilise once weather conditions improve, though fog-related disruptions are likely to continue during the winter season.
