Fog disrupts flights at Patna airport for second consecutive day

Patna: Flight operations at Patna airport remained severely disrupted for the second consecutive day as dense fog continued to blanket the region, reducing runway visibility. Several flights were delayed by 50 minutes to four hours on Sunday, while three were cancelled altogether. On Sunday, the first flight to Delhi took off three hours late, causing widespread inconvenience to passengers.

According to airport authorities, the primary reason for the disruptions is the persistent fog, which significantly hampers runway visibility. Partial fog and mist have created challenging conditions for flight operations, compounded by inadequate landing support systems. Aircraft struggle to land safely when visibility falls below 1,000 metres, a common occurrence in the current weather.

Patna airport’s short runway further complicates operations. Unlike the standard 2.5-degree descent angle required for safe landings, planes must descend at a steeper 3-degree angle due to the runway’s length constraints. This poses additional risks, particularly in poor visibility.

With dense fog expected to persist, passengers have been advised to check their flight schedules for updates.