Dense Smog Causes Significant Flight Disruptions At Delhi Airport

On Monday, a significant disruption in flight operations was recorded at the Delhi airport, owing to a dense layer of smog that shrouded the city. This environmental phenomenon, exacerbated by pollution and fog, led to decreased visibility across the national capital. The adverse weather conditions prompted several airlines to adjust their schedules, affecting numerous flights to and from Delhi.

SpiceJet, one of the airlines affected, took to X to inform its passengers about the potential impact on both departures and arrivals. The airline urged travelers to stay updated on their flight statuses, highlighting the extent to which the smog was affecting air travel. This announcement followed a visible demonstration of the smog's intensity, captured in a video shared by the news agency PTI, displaying the smog enveloping Delhi in the early hours.

Adding to the travel advisories, IndiGo, another major airline operating in the region, posted a warning on X late Sunday night. The post alerted passengers about the fog's impact on visibility, which could lead to traffic delays and subsequently affect flight schedules. IndiGo's advisory underscored the importance of allowing extra travel time and checking flight statuses in advance, ensuring passengers were prepared for potential delays.

Low Visibility Procedures Activated at Delhi Airport

In response to the challenging conditions, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) announced the implementation of low visibility procedures at the airport. Despite the smog, DIAL confirmed that flight operations remained normal but advised passengers to contact their respective airlines for the most current flight information. This measure reflects the airport's readiness to manage air traffic efficiently under less-than-ideal visibility conditions.

The weather also played a significant role in the day's events, with the meteorological department issuing an orange alert for Monday. Forecasters predicted that the maximum and minimum temperatures would hover around 27 and 17 degrees Celsius, respectively. Additionally, the visibility at Safdarjung was reported to have diminished to 300 meters at 8.30 am due to fog, further complicating the situation for travelers and airlines alike.

The onset of these weather conditions comes after a notable drop in temperature on Sunday, with Delhi recording its lowest daytime temperature of the season at 27.2 degrees Celsius. This drop in mercury, combined with the smog and fog, created a challenging environment for flight operations in and out of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, which handles approximately 1,400 flight movements daily.

In conclusion, the thick smog in Delhi, coupled with pollution and fog, significantly disrupted flight operations at the city's airport. Both passengers and airlines were advised to stay informed about flight statuses and prepare for possible delays. The activation of low visibility procedures by DIAL aimed to ensure that, despite the reduced visibility, flight operations could continue as smoothly as possible under the circumstances.