Srinagar International Airport experienced severe interruptions in service due to poor weather, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Multiple delays and cancellations occurred throughout the day because of low visibility, snow, and severe winds for both incoming and outgoing flights. This disruption reiterated once again that air travel into and out of the Kashmir Valley is extremely susceptible to weather conditions during the winter months.
Numerous Flights Have Been Delayed and Cancelled
Many flights that were scheduled to fly between Srinagar and large metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai, and Jammu ended up either delayed or cancelled because of unsafe landings caused by reduced visibility. The majority of the morning flights were cancelled as that was the time when most aircraft would have been landing at the airport and when operations were first halted altogether until such time as weather conditions improved sufficiently for airlines to resume operations.
As passengers waited in line for hours at the airport, airlines continually revised their schedules. Some flights that did attempt to take off were forced either to return to their departure airport prior to landing or divert to another airport due to rapid and unexpected changes in weather conditions.
118 flights cancelled,16 diverted at Delhi airport as dense fog disrupts operations
Passengers Face Inconvenience
Air travel was greatly inconvenienced for many travelers whether they were visiting for business or tourism, and many local residents as well. This was especially true for those attempting to travel by air. Many were upset they did not receive timely notifications from airlines regarding delays and cancellations of their flights. Travelers were also frustrated by how long it took them to get help from airline representatives at the airport when trying to change their flight or get a refund.
“I really wanted to get to Delhi early this morning for a doctor appointment but my flight was cancelled at the last minute,” stated one stranded traveler. “For the past several months it seems I’ve been fighting the weather every time I’ve tried to fly.”
The Response from Airlines and Airport Officials
Airlines have sent out messages telling all travelers to check the status of their flight(s) before going to the airport. Airport officials have stated that the safety of passengers is always the number one concern and that airline services depend on the visibility of their runways and the condition of their runways.
Weather Conditions Likely to Persist
Weather forecasters are concerned that temporarily stopped snow fall and limited visibility will lead to further disruptions over the next several days. All travelers should keep in touch with their airline and plan accordingly.
Winter Is a Continued Challenge for Kashmir Valley
Airline disruptions in the winter months in the Kashmir Valley will continue to be an annual challenge for floating services. The advances made in navigational technology have minimized cancellations; however, the extreme weather conditions still affect the way passengers travel by air. The local authorities have once again asked that all travelers remain patient and assist each other in such instances.
Due to weather conditions continuing to impact air travel, all passengers are encouraged to remain updated through their airlines’ official channels and avoid unnecessary travel if the weather is poor.
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