Delhi woke up today under a thick blanket of fog and smog, causing widespread travel disruptions at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. At least 128 flights were cancelled and around 200 more delayed, leaving travelers stranded and anxious.
Airlines had issued advisories earlier warning passengers about potential delays. “Fog continues to persist across Delhi and several airports in northern India. Visibility remains reduced and, as a result, flight movements are presently slower than normal, with some delays being experienced,” stated an IndiGo spokesperson this morning.
The impact was felt heavily on the ground as well. Sixty-four departures and 64 arrivals were cancelled, and several flights were diverted to other airports. Train services across northern India were also affected, leaving commuters frustrated at railway stations.
Adding to the travel woes, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) shot past 400, which is 26 times higher than the World Health Organisation’s safe limit. The city’s perennial pollution problem, worsened by the dip in winter temperatures, created a smoggy haze that not only delayed flights but also posed serious health risks.
For many residents and travelers, it was a day of uncertainty and caution. While authorities and airlines work to resume normal operations, passengers are advised to check updates regularly and plan their journeys carefully.
