Representative image (AI-generated)
NEW DELHI: Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were severely disrupted on Monday as dense fog and low visibility led to the cancellation of around 228 flights, with five others diverted, airport authorities said.According to Delhi Airport, the cancellations included 131 departing flights and 97 arriving flights, as visibility levels dropped sharply across the national capital during the early hours of the day. Flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions, which allow aircraft to land in extremely low visibility but often result in delays and cancellations.Earlier in the day, the ministry of civil aviation issued a travel advisory, urging passengers to check the latest flight status with their airlines before heading to the airport. In a post on X, the ministry said Air Traffic Control and ground teams were “working tirelessly” to minimise disruption, while emphasising that passenger safety remained the top priority.”Heavy Fog Alert for Northern India. Delhi (DEL) & other airports in Northern India are experiencing dense fog, severely affecting visibility.For Passengers: Before heading to the airport, please check the latest flight status with your airline. Check flight information on the airport website/app. Please allow extra travel time,” civil aviation ministry said. “Safety is our top priority. Our teams & ATC are working tirelessly to minimize disruptions. Thank you for your patience and cooperation,” it added.Airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, also issued advisories warning that dense fog over Delhi and other parts of northern India could impact schedules. IndiGo said it was closely monitoring weather conditions and urged passengers to regularly check flight updates through official channels, assuring support from its ground and customer service teams. Air India similarly advised passengers to verify flight status before travelling to the airport. The disruption came as Delhi remained shrouded in thick smog and fog, sharply reducing visibility and worsening air quality. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘severe’ category, with readings reported as high as 498, close to the maximum possible level of 500. Several monitoring stations recorded ‘severe’ air quality, with residents complaining of breathlessness, low visibility and heightened health risks.Pollution levels had worsened from Sunday, when the AQI climbed to 461, marking Delhi’s most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality day on record. Weather officials warned that poor visibility and air quality conditions were likely to persist in the coming days.Authorities have advised residents, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments, to take necessary precautions as the capital continues to battle extreme pollution and fog-related disruptions. Go to Source