Bengaluru Airport Engulfed: Dense Fog Snarls Morning Flights, Stranding Hundreds

Imagine waking up to an early Monday morning, ready for your flight out of Bengaluru, only to find the entire city, and specifically the airport, swallowed by a thick, soupy blanket of fog. That's precisely the scene that unfolded at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) today, bringing a significant portion of its early operations to a grinding halt and leaving countless travelers facing unexpected hurdles.

From around 5:30 AM, a dense, almost impenetrable fog descended upon KIA, dramatically slashing visibility to a mere 50 meters. This wasn't just a slight inconvenience; it quickly escalated into a major disruption. A staggering 41 flights found themselves caught in the meteorological snarl. For nine of those, the only option was to divert to clearer skies in Chennai or Hyderabad, leaving passengers with an unexpected detour. Another 32 flights, both incoming and outgoing, faced frustrating delays, stretching patiently as the morning light struggled to pierce through the heavy mist.

One can only imagine the palpable anxiety and disappointment amongst travelers. Whether they were business commuters racing to crucial meetings or families embarking on long-awaited holidays, their meticulously planned schedules were suddenly put on hold. Major airlines like IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Vistara were all affected, grappling with the challenging conditions. Passengers, often left scanning departure boards and refreshing airline apps, were understandably advised to keep a very close eye on their flight statuses—a small but crucial piece of advice when Mother Nature decides to play havoc.

While such extensive disruptions are never ideal, dense fog is, unfortunately, a rather familiar visitor to Bengaluru during the cooler months, particularly in the early morning hours. KIA is, of course, equipped with a Category III B Instrument Landing System (ILS), specifically designed to assist aircraft in low visibility conditions. However, even with advanced technology and seasoned air traffic controllers, there comes a point where nature simply dictates the pace. When visibility drops to such extreme levels, safety protocols rightly take precedence, even if it means considerable inconvenience for hundreds.

As the morning progressed and the sun gradually gained strength, the fog slowly began to dissipate, bringing with it a sense of cautious optimism and eventual relief. Air traffic operations gradually started to normalize, though the ripple effect of these early morning disruptions was certainly felt throughout the day. For those planning early morning travel from Bengaluru in the coming days, it serves as a timely reminder: always check your flight status before heading out, because sometimes, even the clearest blue sky can hide a surprise pea-souper around the corner.