Heavy fog and smog severely disrupted air travel in the national capital this week, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and prompting Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport to issue a passenger advisory. The disruptions began on Monday and continued into Tuesday, throwing flight schedules into chaos during the winter season.
Widespread Flight Cancellations and Diversions
The situation reached a peak on Monday, when a staggering 228 flights were cancelled due to critically low visibility caused by dense fog. A Delhi airport official confirmed to PTI that this included 131 departures and 97 arrivals. Furthermore, five flights had to be diverted to nearby airports for safe landing.
While Air India publicly announced the cancellation of around 40 flights, other major airlines, including the crisis-hit IndiGo, did not immediately share their specific numbers. The cumulative impact, however, was massive, affecting thousands of passengers at the country's busiest aviation hub, which typically handles about 1,300 flight movements every day.
Airport and Airline Response to the Crisis
In response to the ongoing disruptions, Delhi Airport issued an advisory on Tuesday. While noting that flight operations were steadily recovering, it warned passengers that some disruptions for departures and arrivals might persist. The airport urged travelers to contact their airlines directly for the most accurate and timely updates.
The authorities also assured passengers of on-ground support. "Our personnel are available across terminals to assist passengers and provide necessary support. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding," the airport stated in its advisory.
IndiGo, which cancelled several flights on Monday, also proactively communicated with passengers. The airline issued a weather update, noting that early morning fog across Northern India could slow flight movements. "We wanted to share this gentle heads-up in advance, so you can plan with ease and check your flight status before heading to the airport," IndiGo said. The airline added that its teams were monitoring the situation and making thoughtful adjustments on the ground to minimize passenger inconvenience.
Government Steps Up Monitoring
The scale of the disruption prompted immediate action from the central government. On Monday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation intensified its oversight of flight operations. Senior officials from the ministry visited the Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) to review real-time operations and assess the ground situation firsthand.
In a post on social media platform X, the ministry outlined its directives, stating, "Airports have been instructed to maintain close coordination with stakeholders, ensure timely dissemination of information, and facilitate passenger convenience. Passenger safety and smooth operations remain our top priority." This intervention highlights the serious impact the fog-related disruptions had on national aviation infrastructure.
As winter tightens its grip on North India, such fog-related delays are expected to continue. Travelers flying in and out of Delhi are strongly advised to:
- Check their flight status directly with the airline before leaving for the airport.
- Allow for significant extra travel time during early morning and late evening hours.
- Stay informed through official airport and airline channels for real-time updates.
