Fog & Smog Affect Flight Operations At IGI Airport

Dense fog significantly reduced visibility at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday morning, disrupting flight operations and marking the season’s first major spell of winter fog.

Airlines delayed several departures as they adjusted schedules to ensure passenger safety amid challenging weather conditions.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) issued a passenger advisory, warning that dense fog could lead to disruptions in flight operations.

The airport operator said it is coordinating closely with all stakeholders to minimise inconvenience to travellers.

“Due to dense fog, flight operations may experience disruptions. We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimise inconvenience to passengers. For the latest flight updates, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused,” the advisory said.

Authorities urged passengers to stay in touch with their airlines for real-time updates before heading to the airport.

Airlines Alert Passengers

Low-cost carrier IndiGo also issued a travel advisory, stating that reduced visibility around the airport was impacting flight movements and that some departures could take longer than usual.

The airline assured passengers that its ground staff and operations teams were fully deployed to assist travellers and manage schedules efficiently.

Posting on social media platform X, IndiGo said, “Low visibility and fog over Delhi will impact flight schedules. We’re keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly. We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app.”

The airline thanked passengers for their patience and understanding during the disruption.

Air India also issued a similar advisory, noting that poor visibility due to dense fog was affecting flight operations in Delhi and parts of northern India.

The airline advised passengers to check their flight status online before heading to the airport to avoid inconvenience.

Weather and Air Quality Worsen Conditions

The disruption came as Delhi woke up to a thick layer of smog, with air quality remaining in the ‘severe’ category across the National Capital Region (NCR).

According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 457 as of 6 a.m.

Visibility dropped sharply in several areas, with visuals showing dense haze suspended in the air, making it difficult to see even short distances and affecting early morning movement.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a dense fog warning for the morning and forenoon hours, with such conditions reported at the Safdarjung observatory.

Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 23 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 8 degrees Celsius, while pollution levels remained alarming across several monitoring stations.

In the Akshardham area, the AQI touched 493, while Dwarka Sector-14 recorded an AQI of 469, both falling under the ‘severe’ category.

Authorities and airlines have continued to advise passengers to plan their journeys carefully and stay updated as winter weather conditions persist.

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