OREANDA-NEWS.The flight diversions at IGI Airport, Delhi have reduced by nearly 36% despite longer duration of low visibility period this winter. An analysis of data, from 1st December 2014 to 5th January 2015, has revealed that although during the current winter season, the total duration of low visibility period at IGI Airport increased and the airport witnessed total closure due to zero visibility for almost 30 hours as against 15 hours during the corresponding period last winter, the flight diversions got reduced from 71 to 45. Similarly, flight cancellations during low visibility period have also reduced by about 53%, from 83 last winter to 39 this season. 

The analysis shows that the overall flight operations at IGI Airport also increased during low visibility period this winter by nearly 67%, from 2808 aircraft movements (both take-off and landing) last winter to 4683 in the current season.This has been possible with better management of flight operations wherein airlines have been asked to requisition more number of Cat 3B complaint aircraft to/from IGI Airport along with adequate number of Cat 3B trained pilots. Operators have also been advised to reschedule flights of smaller aircraft ,between 1000 hrs to 2000 hrs, which are non-Cat 3 compliant, in case the visibility conditions are not favourable.