Airlines issue travel advisories as thick smog disrupts flights at Delhi airport

Delhi airport and major airlines issued travel advisories on Monday as thick smog and dense winter fog engulfed the national capital, severely reducing visibility and threatening to disrupt flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.

The hazardous conditions stemmed from persistently poor air quality, with Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at a ‘severe’ 454 at 7:05 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app. The reading followed an AQI of 461 on Sunday, marking the second-worst air quality day recorded in December.

In view of the deteriorating visibility, Delhi airport issued a travel advisory warning passengers of possible delays and disruptions. Airport authorities said they were coordinating closely with all stakeholders to minimise inconvenience and advised travellers to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates.

Several airlines also alerted passengers. IndiGo cautioned that low visibility and fog over Delhi could impact flight schedules, urging flyers to regularly check their flight status through its website or mobile app. The carrier also advised passengers to allow extra time for travel to the airport, as road traffic could be slower due to the toxic haze.

Air India similarly warned that poor visibility caused by dense fog was affecting flight operations in Delhi and parts of northern India, and asked passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

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Visuals shared on social media showed thick smog across areas such as Akshardham, where the AQI stood at 493, highlighting the severity of the pollution episode.