New system to avoid flight delays due to fog at IGI airport

Air travellers need not worry about massive delays and cancellations due to fog this winter as a unique system will be put in place to ensure better landing and take off at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here.
With the Airport Meteorological department predicting spell of dense fog conditions between December 23 and February next year, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said introduction of the Delhi Airport Collaborative Decision Making (DA-CDM) would be a game changer.
"The DA-CDM would be a true game changer this Winter... To reduce delays and congestion due to fog, we have devised a plan that would ensure smooth flow of flight information, almost on real time basis, to passengers," CEO of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), I Prabhakar Rao said.

The DA-CDM is a concept focusing on improving the Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management at airports by reducing delays, improving the predictability of events and optimising the utilisation of resources.
Airport operators, airlines, ground handlers and air traffic control (ATC) collaborate and share data through automated system to increase overall airport efficiency.
"It would enable optimum utilisation of ATC resources, runways or taxiways resulting in reduced workload of controllers, minimum ground delays, reduced radio telephony congestion and increased level of safety," Rao said.

A move that would allow us to recover much faster at the time of flight disruption during low visibility condition. A DA-CDM Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) Cell has also been positioned inside Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC), he said speaking on the DIAL preparedness.

Apart from it, DIAL has set up a backup of runway visual range (RVR) system to maintain redundancy for the first time at any Indian airport.
The DIAL would set up four additional helpdesks at entry gates to provide information on cancellations and delays.
Meanwhile, Airport Met officer R K Jenamani said the city had seen unusual smog cover between October 28 to November 8 and is likely to witness dense fog for about 80 to 100 hours between December 23 and February 21 with 15-20 days of disruption.