Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday issued an urgent travel advisory as dense fog severely impacted visibility across Delhi and several northern airports, disrupting air traffic. Delhi Airport confirmed that at least 40 flights had been cancelled and four diverted due to the weather conditions.
Ministry Urges Passengers to Check Flight Status Before Leaving Home
The ministry, in a post on X, cautioned passengers to avoid heading to airports without first confirming the latest flight information. It stated that Air Traffic Control and ground teams are working continuously to minimise delays and cancellations. Authorities also advised flyers to account for additional travel time, given the heavy fog and expected congestion at terminals.
Airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have also issued separate advisories. IndiGo warned that low visibility in Delhi would likely affect schedules and urged travellers to monitor updates via its app or website. Air India similarly requested passengers to verify flight status online before travelling to the airport.
Delhi Airport Running Under CAT III Conditions; Severe AQI Adds Pressure
Delhi Airport announced that operations are currently being handled under CAT III low-visibility protocols, which may still cause significant delays. Ground teams are assisting passengers impacted by cancellations and rescheduling.
Visibility over Delhi dropped sharply on Monday morning as a thick layer of smog combined with fog engulfed the city. Air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category at 38 monitoring stations. Jahangirpuri recorded an AQI of 498 — among the worst readings of the season — while Wazirpur hit the maximum index value of 500.
The city witnessed its most polluted day of the winter on Sunday, with an overall AQI of 461, as stagnant winds and falling temperatures trapped pollutants close to the surface, further complicating aviation operations.
