Dense fog crippled Delhi’s airport on Monday, leading to 228 flight cancellations and five diversions. Visibility plummeted, impacting operations under CAT III conditions. Authorities urged passengers to check flight status, prioritizing safety amidst the severe air quality and persistent smog. Airlines also issued advisories, warning of schedule disruptions. Representative image (AI-generated) NEW DELHI: Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were severely disrupted on Monday as dense fog and low visibility led to the cancellation of around 228 flights, with five others diverted, airport authorities said.According to Delhi Airport, the cancellations included 131 departing flights and 97 arriving flights, as visibility levels dropped sharply across the national capital during the early hours of the day. Flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions, which allow aircraft to land in extremely low visibility but often result in delays and cancellations.Earlier in the day, the ministry of civil aviation issued a travel advisory, urging passengers to check the latest flight status with their airlines before heading to the airport. In a post on X, the ministry said Air Traffic Control and ground teams were “working tirelessly” to minimise disruption, while emphasising that passenger safety remained the top priority.”Heavy Fog Alert for Northern India. Delhi (DEL) & other airports in Northern India are experiencing dense fog, severely affecting visibility.For Passengers: Before heading to the airport, please check the latest flight status with your airline. Check flight information on the airport website/app. Please allow extra travel time,” civil aviation ministry said.”Safety is our top priority. Our teams & ATC are working tirelessly to minimize disruptions. Thank you for your patience and cooperation,” it added.Airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, also issued advisories warning that dense fog over Delhi and other parts of northern India could impact schedules. IndiGo said it was closely monitoring weather conditions and urged passengers to regularly check flight updates through official channels, assuring support from its ground and customer service teams. Air India similarly advised passengers to verify flight status before travelling to the airport.The disruption came as Delhi remained shrouded in thick smog and fog, sharply reducing visibility and worsening air quality. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘severe’ category, with readings reported as high as 498, close to the maximum possible level of 500. Several monitoring stations recorded ‘severe’ air quality, with residents complaining of breathlessness, low visibility and heightened health risks.Pollution levels had worsened from Sunday, when the AQI climbed to 461, marking Delhi’s most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality day on record. Weather officials warned that poor visibility and air quality conditions were likely to persist in the coming days.Authorities have advised residents, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments, to take necessary precautions as the capital continues to battle extreme pollution and fog-related disruptions.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Starts Mandatory Social Media Checks For H-1B Visas Leaving Indian Professionals Most ExposedBJP’s Succession Script Repeats: Why Nitin Nabin Is Working President, And Not Nadda’s ReplacementEnd Of MGNREGA? What VB–G Ram G Means For Rural Workers, Farmers And Viksit Bharat PlanFrom Missiles To Torpedoes, DRDO Outlines India’s Big Defence Push For Near-Term Battlefield EdgePM Modi Begins Jordan, Ethiopia, Oman Tour To Boost Ancient Ties, Expand India’s Global South RoleIndian Diaspora Members Prepare Cultural Performances Ahead Of PM Modi’s Jordan VisitFrom Power Cuts To 500 GW Grid, India Emerges As Global Data Centre Hub Under Modi: Piyush GoyalCong’s ‘Modi Teri Kabr Khudegi’ Slogan Sparks Uproar, NDA Seeks Apology As Parliament Grinds To Halt”Abusing PM Does Not Befit” Rijiju Seeks apology From Congress Over Anti-Modi SlogansYogi Adityanath Targets Nehru Over Kashmir, Links Historic Blunder To India’s Long Terror Crisis123Photostories‘Damini’, ‘OMG! Oh My God’, ‘Prem Rog’: Bollywood movies that sparked social change and redefined mainstream storytelling5 pet fish that change colour and why it happens6 Traditional egg curries from different parts of the countryAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s love story: From being close friends to getting remarried in EuropeUttarakhand Govt announces snow leopard tour to boost winter tourism; 5 other Indian spots to see the Big CatMrunal Thakur’s colourful Paithani saree is a bold love letter to Maharashtrian cultureFrom ethnic glam to chic streetwear: ‘Bigg Boss 19’ fame Farrhana Bhatt’s fashion diaryWhat is binge eating disorder and how to fix it?9 Auspicious Symbols According To Your Birth Date‘Housefull 5’, ‘Sikandar’, ‘Nadaaniyan’: 2025 films that struggled to make an impact at the box office123Hot PicksBondi beach attackCorona RemediesJetBlue flight VenezuelaGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingDelhi SchoolMLB Trade RumorsNFL PlayoffPhilip River KidsLuka Modric and Vanja Bosnic Net WorthBoston Red SoxDelhi AQILebron JamesDelarum PouyabaharWho is Paige Shiver
NEW DELHI: Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were severely disrupted on Monday as dense fog and low visibility led to the cancellation of around 228 flights, with five others diverted, airport authorities said.According to Delhi Airport, the cancellations included 131 departing flights and 97 arriving flights, as visibility levels dropped sharply across the national capital during the early hours of the day. Flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions, which allow aircraft to land in extremely low visibility but often result in delays and cancellations.Earlier in the day, the ministry of civil aviation issued a travel advisory, urging passengers to check the latest flight status with their airlines before heading to the airport. In a post on X, the ministry said Air Traffic Control and ground teams were “working tirelessly” to minimise disruption, while emphasising that passenger safety remained the top priority.“Heavy Fog Alert for Northern India. Delhi (DEL) & other airports in Northern India are experiencing dense fog, severely affecting visibility.For Passengers: Before heading to the airport, please check the latest flight status with your airline. Check flight information on the airport website/app. Please allow extra travel time,” civil aviation ministry said.“Safety is our top priority. Our teams & ATC are working tirelessly to minimize disruptions. Thank you for your patience and cooperation,” it added.Airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, also issued advisories warning that dense fog over Delhi and other parts of northern India could impact schedules. IndiGo said it was closely monitoring weather conditions and urged passengers to regularly check flight updates through official channels, assuring support from its ground and customer service teams. Air India similarly advised passengers to verify flight status before travelling to the airport.The disruption came as Delhi remained shrouded in thick smog and fog, sharply reducing visibility and worsening air quality. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘severe’ category, with readings reported as high as 498, close to the maximum possible level of 500. Several monitoring stations recorded ‘severe’ air quality, with residents complaining of breathlessness, low visibility and heightened health risks.Pollution levels had worsened from Sunday, when the AQI climbed to 461, marking Delhi’s most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality day on record. Weather officials warned that poor visibility and air quality conditions were likely to persist in the coming days.Authorities have advised residents, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments, to take necessary precautions as the capital continues to battle extreme pollution and fog-related disruptions.
