Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport are being disrupted, with numerous delays due to high surface temperatures.
According to ANI, a senior Ministry of Civil Aviation official stated that while safety guidelines are being adhered to, flights are sometimes delayed or have to wait for wind speeds to stabilize.
High temperatures cause the air to become less dense, impacting the lift needed for aircraft takeoff, as explained by another senior official from a domestic airline. This reduced air density affects the lift, particularly during takeoff and the initial climb, and may also cause mid-air turbulence.
“In extreme weather conditions such as high temperatures and strong winds, we only proceed after receiving clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC),” the official said.
Alternatives include adjusting operations by reducing fuel or baggage, and in some cases, removing passengers to enable the aircraft to operate, the official added.
For instance, an Indigo flight 6E 2521 from Delhi to Bagdogra was delayed on June 17 due to high ground temperatures affecting operations.
Regarding complaints about non-functioning air conditioning in aircraft, a senior domestic airline official mentioned that the extreme heat outside makes it difficult for the air conditioning system to cool the plane effectively on short-distance flights. This can cause discomfort to passengers while taxiing or idling on the runway due to rising cabin temperatures.
New Delhi has been facing intense heat waves and soaring temperatures.
