Published on February 8, 2026
Severe disruptions were reported at the Meenambakkam Airport in Chennai on Sunday morning due to the occurrence of dense fog, as at least three flights that were incoming were diverted to other airports in the region. Moderate to dense fog was reported to have formed at the airport early in the morning.

Impact of Dense Fog on Airport Operations

According to airport officials, visibility at Chennai Airport was about 1500 meters at 05:30 IST, which rapidly decreased as the fog intensified. By 06:30 IST, visibility had dropped to just 350 meters, and by 07:30 IST, it had further reduced to 150 meters, significantly impacting flight operations. The reduced visibility triggered the diversion of several incoming flights, including two from Kuala Lumpur and Hyderabad, both of which were rerouted to Tiruchirappalli Airport. Additionally, a private flight bound for Chennai had to return to Bengaluru due to the poor visibility.

Weather Conditions Behind the Fog Formation

The dense fog formation was attributed to a combination of high humidity, light winds, and cooler night-time temperatures, which created the perfect conditions for fog to develop. An official noted that such conditions were conducive to reduced visibility at the airport, which typically remains a challenge during the early morning hours.

Delays and Improvements in Visibility

In addition to the diversions, a few departing flights also faced minor delays, though the disruptions were not as severe. The official stated that visibility was expected to improve between 8:30-9:00 am, as the fog began to lift and conditions became more favorable for flights to operate safely.

Future Impact on Aviation and Infrastructure

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The disruptions caused by dense fog at Chennai Airport serve as a reminder of the significant impact that weather conditions can have on airport operations. As climate change and extreme weather patterns continue to affect global weather systems, airports across the world, including Chennai, may face an increased frequency of such weather-related disruptions, leading to more flight delays, diversions, and cancellations in the future.
To mitigate these risks, airports may need to invest in advanced weather forecasting technology, improved runway lighting systems, and better communication systems to ensure smooth operations during adverse weather conditions. Additionally, increasing the availability of alternate airports for diversions, like Tiruchirappalli, and enhancing real-time flight tracking could help minimize the impact of weather-related disruptions on passengers and flight operations.

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As climate variability increases, airports will also need to consider long-term infrastructure changes to accommodate more frequent extreme weather events such as fog, storms, and heavy rainfall. This could involve upgrading airport facilities to handle weather-induced delays more efficiently, improving both passenger experience and operational capacity in challenging weather conditions.

Weather-Related Impact on Air Travel

The recent disruptions in flights due to fog at Chennai Meenambakkam airport on Sunday underscore the challenges posed by weather conditions to flight operations, particularly during the winter season when there is more fog around. Though the flights that were diverted due to the bad weather conditions have been handled well through rerouting to other airports, there have been delays due to the poor visibility. With the improvement of weather conditions, the flight operations are liable to resume to normal later in the day.

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However, with the constant occurrence of extreme weather conditions, it appears that airports around the world, including the Chennai airport, would have to incorporate mechanisms to reduce weather-related disruptions affecting air travel.

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Tags: Chennai Airport departing flight delays, Chennai Airport fog flight diversions Sunday, fog delays Chennai Airport February 2026, international flights diverted Chennai

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