Severe fog and hazardous air pollution brought travel chaos to India's capital on Monday, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and leaving passengers stranded at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI).
Flight Operations Grind to a Halt
Airport authorities confirmed that a total of 228 flights were cancelled due to the dangerously low visibility. This included 131 departures and 97 arrivals. Additionally, five flights had to be diverted to other airports. Operations were being conducted under CAT III conditions, a system that permits landings in extremely poor visibility but inevitably causes significant delays and cancellations.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation quickly issued a travel advisory, urging all passengers to contact their airlines for the latest flight information before starting their journey to the airport. In a statement on social media platform X, the ministry stated that Air Traffic Control and ground staff were working non-stop to reduce disruptions, while reaffirming that passenger safety is the absolute priority.
A Dual Crisis: Fog and Toxic Air
The travel nightmare was compounded by a severe public health crisis. The national capital remained enveloped in a thick blanket of smog and fog, drastically reducing visibility and spiking pollution levels. Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) entered the 'severe' category, reaching a alarming high of 498, just shy of the maximum possible reading of 500.
This marked a deterioration from Sunday, when an AQI of 461 made it the most polluted day of this winter and the second-worst December day on record. Multiple monitoring stations across the city reported 'severe' air quality, with residents experiencing breathing difficulties and heightened health risks. Meteorological officials warned that the poor visibility and toxic air are likely to persist for the next few days.
Airlines and Authorities Respond
Major airlines proactively communicated with passengers about the widespread disruptions. Both IndiGo and Air India issued advisories, warning that dense fog over Delhi and other parts of northern India would heavily impact their schedules. IndiGo assured passengers that its teams were monitoring the situation closely and asked flyers to check for updates via official channels. Air India echoed the advice, asking travelers to confirm their flight's status before heading to the airport.
Authorities have issued health warnings alongside travel advisories. Residents, particularly children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions, have been advised to take necessary precautions and limit outdoor exposure as the twin challenges of extreme pollution and fog continue to grip the city.
