Patna: Dense fog and poor visibility disrupted flight operations at Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport on Monday, leading to the cancellation of two flights and the delay of an IndiGo service, airport officials said.
The cancellations, involving one arrival and one departure, were announced early in the morning after visibility levels dropped sharply, prompting authorities to prioritise safety. The sudden disruption caused confusion at the terminal, with passengers crowding airline counters seeking updates and alternative arrangements.
An IndiGo flight scheduled to depart at 11am was also delayed because of the weather and is now expected to take off at 2pm, leaving passengers waiting for nearly three additional hours. The airline said it had informed travellers through calls and text messages, though several passengers complained of delayed or unclear communication.
The impact was particularly acute for those travelling to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata for urgent work. Some passengers said they struggled to secure alternative flights, while others were forced to seek refunds or reschedule their journeys.
Airport authorities said fog-related disruptions are common during the winter months, especially in the mornings, and that flights are cancelled or delayed only when necessary to ensure passenger safety. Travellers were advised to check flight statuses with airlines before heading to the airport.
IndiGo said operations would stabilise once weather conditions improve and that assistance was being provided to affected passengers. While visibility improved later in the day and normal operations were expected to resume in the afternoon, morning flights are likely to remain vulnerable to fog-related delays.
