New Delhi, December 29 (ANI): Dense fog enveloping the national capital early Monday morning caused major disruptions to flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, with visibility plunging to as low as 50 metres, leading to widespread delays, cancellations, and diversions.
Airport operations were conducted under Category-III conditions, which permit aircraft landings in very low visibility. Despite this, approximately 65 per cent of departures were delayed as of early morning, with airlines warning that high cancellation rates could persist through the day.
Major carriers, including IndiGo and Air India, issued travel advisories urging passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport and to allow additional travel time. IndiGo said it was closely monitoring weather conditions and making operational adjustments to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
In an advisory, IndiGo stated that fluctuating visibility due to lingering fog over Delhi and Hindon Airport had resulted in changes to flight schedules and slower-than-usual operations. The airline said its ground teams were prioritising passenger safety and assisting travellers at terminals, while offering rebooking and refund options for affected flights.
The impact of the fog extended beyond Delhi. An Air India Express flight from Goa to Delhi, which departed Mopa Airport at 11:55 pm on Sunday, was diverted to Ahmedabad after failing to land in both Delhi and Jaipur due to congestion and poor visibility. The diversion led to crowding at Ahmedabad Airport, further disrupting passenger travel plans.
Weather officials indicated that visibility was expected to gradually improve to around 100 metres by 8:30 am and further to 1,000 metres by early afternoon, which could help stabilise flight operations later in the day.
Meanwhile, the city also grappled with deteriorating air quality. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 402 at 8 am, placing it in the “severe” category. Several areas recorded even higher levels, including Anand Vihar (455), Wazirpur (443), Rohini (442), Patparganj (431), Punjabi Bagh (426), and Bawana (411).
Residents reported reduced visibility on roads as well, with many motorists keeping headlights on during morning hours. The capital woke up to chilly conditions, with temperatures hovering around 22.5 degrees Celsius.
Airlines said operations would normalise once weather conditions improved and assured passengers of continued assistance amid the disruptions. (ANI)
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