Bhubaneswar, Jan 1: Bhubaneswar's Biju Patnaik International Airport faced severe disruptions on Thursday morning as dense fog engulfed the area, causing significant delays and flight cancellations. With visibility dropping below 50 meters, only one aircraft was able to take off amidst the poor conditions, leaving several flights stranded on the runway and passengers facing long delays.

Flight operations at the airport were severely impacted from the early hours of New Year's Day. Dense fog shrouded Bhubaneswar and nearby Cuttack, severely affecting visibility and making it unsafe for aircraft to operate. This led to numerous flights being grounded on the runway, and multiple departures and arrivals were delayed.

Flights heading to and from North Indian destinations were among the worst affected, as foggy conditions made it difficult for pilots to navigate safely. Airlines such as Air India and IndiGo confirmed schedule disruptions, citing safety concerns due to low visibility levels.

By 9:30 am, only one flight was able to depart, as most others were either delayed or held on the tarmac. Aircraft remained stationed on the runway for extended periods as pilots awaited improvements in visibility. Passengers were left waiting in the terminal lobby for updates, as revised departure timings were communicated sporadically.

While the exact number of affected flights was not immediately available, sources indicated that both departures and arrivals were impacted by the fog. As the weather conditions persisted, cascading delays were expected to affect the rest of the day’s flight schedule.

The disruption caused considerable inconvenience for travelers, many of whom had to contend with extended waiting times inside the terminal. Airport authorities deployed ground staff to manage the crowds and provide updates on flight statuses. Passengers flying to northern destinations, in particular, were affected by the prolonged delays.

Airlines advised passengers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport due to rapidly changing weather conditions. With the dense fog expected to persist, passengers were urged to remain patient and prepared for potential further delays.