A thick blanket of fog and smog gripped Delhi on Sunday, quietly derailing travel plans. With nearly 100 flights cancelled, hundreds delayed, and trains running late, commuters faced chaos- while air quality slipped closer to ‘severe.’ What caused the disruption?
Delhi fog causes flight cancellations at airport
New Delhi: Severe fog conditions continued to disrupt air travel in the national capital on Sunday, leading to the cancellation of 97 flights at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. According to sources, the cancelled flights included 48 arrivals and 49 departures. In addition, more than 200 flights were delayed as poor visibility affected flight schedules.
Northern India has been witnessing dense fog during early morning hours for the past several days, and Sunday was no exception. The reduced visibility significantly hampered air traffic operations, causing inconvenience to hundreds of passengers.
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The impact of the adverse weather was not limited to air travel. Rail services across northern India also faced major disruptions. Over 50 trains operated by Northern Railways were delayed due to foggy conditions, resulting in extended travel times for passengers.
Authorities advised commuters to remain cautious and stay updated on train schedules as fog continued to affect rail movement in several regions.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued an advisory on Sunday warning travelers about possible delays and changes in flight operations at select airports across northern India. The advisory highlighted that fog was affecting visibility levels, which could lead to operational challenges.
Passengers were urged to regularly check flight updates with their respective airlines through official communication channels and to allow additional time for airport travel and security procedures.
Despite widespread delays and cancellations, Delhi airport authorities stated that flight operations at IGI Airport remained normal. In a passenger advisory issued at 10 am on Sunday, the airport asked travelers to consult their airlines for the latest schedule updates.
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“Operations at Delhi airport continue to be normal. For updated flight schedules, please consult your airline or visit the official airport website,” the advisory posted on social media platform X said, while wishing passengers a safe journey.
Alongside fog, Delhi continued to struggle with severe air pollution. The city woke up to a thick layer of toxic smog on Sunday morning, further reducing visibility. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 390 around 7 am, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Several areas of the capital recorded ‘severe’ AQI levels, with pollution remaining alarmingly high. The dense haze caused discomfort among residents and added to travel difficulties across the city.
