Flight Delays and Advisories Amid Dense Fog Across Northern India
Delhi and other airports face low visibility; passengers urged to check flight status amid holiday season disruptions
New Delhi, Dec 18: Dense fog and sharply reduced visibility disrupted flight operations across large parts of North and East India on Thursday morning, prompting airlines to issue fresh advisories for passengers. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport activated Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) due to the poor conditions.
Airlines including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet warned that fog-related disruptions could persist over the next few days, particularly during early morning hours, with cascading effects across their networks amid the peak holiday travel season.
Airlines Advise Passengers to Check Flight Status
Air India cautioned that dense fog at its primary hub in Delhi and other airports could lead to delays or cancellations. The airline urged passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport and highlighted its ‘FogCare’ initiative, under which affected passengers can reschedule flights or seek refunds without additional charges.
IndiGo reported low visibility over Chandigarh and northern India, advising travelers to allow extra time for airport transfers and remain updated on flight schedules. SpiceJet also warned that dense fog in Patna and Delhi could affect arrivals, departures, and connecting flights.
Air Quality Worsens, Visibility Drops
The fog coincided with deteriorating air quality across Delhi-NCR, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 358 at 7:05 am, up from 329 the previous day. Several areas, including Anand Vihar (AQI 416), Vivek Vihar (411), Wazirpur (404), and Jahangirpuri (404), entered the ‘severe’ pollution category.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies AQI above 400 as ‘severe’, which can seriously impact the health of residents, particularly those with pre-existing conditions.
IMD Reports Low Visibility
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported dense fog over Delhi, with visibility dropping to 100 metres at Palam and Safdarjung airports. Conditions had deteriorated sharply over a three-hour period, with slight improvement expected later in the morning.
With fog and pollution combining to reduce visibility across the National Capital Region, airlines continue to advise passengers to remain vigilant and plan travel carefully over the coming days.
