NEW DELHI: The ministry of civil aviation on Monday issued a travel advisory, urging flyers to head to airports only after checking the latest status of their flight.According to Delhi airport, 40 flights have been cancelled while 4 have been diverted so far due to low visibility.In a social media post on X, the ministry said that that Air Traffic Control along with other teams are "working tirelessly" to minimise disruptions."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 issue advisoryMeanwhile, airlines including Air India and IndiGo also issue advisories, saying that weather situation could impact flight schedules and cause inconvenience to passengers travelling to and from Delhi.
In a post on social media platform X, IndiGo informed passengers about the prevailing weather conditions and their potential impact on operations. "Travel Advisory...Low visibility and fog over Delhi will impact flight schedules. We're keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly," IndiGo said in a social media post on X.Also Read | Don’t breathe in Delhi: 3 stations hit max AQI of 500 as toxicity hits the roof; city gaspsThe airline further urged travellers to remain vigilant and regularly check their flight status through official channels.
IndiGo requested passengers to monitor updates via its website or mobile application and assured full support from its ground and customer service teams during the period of disruption."We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Be assured, our teams are here to assist you at every step and ensure support... Here's hoping dearer skies help us serve you better soon, and thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time," the airline added in its advisory.
Through a post on X, Air India advised, "#TravelAdvisory...Poor visibility due to dense fog is impacting flight operations in Delhi and parts of Northern India. Please check your flight status at: https://www.airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html before heading to the airport."Delhi airport operating under CAT IIIMeanwhile, Delhi airport said that flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which may which may result in delays and cancellations.Also Read| Delhi battles heavy smog: Airport issues advisory; passengers told to contact airlines"Our ground teams are actively assisting passengers to ensure smooth travel. For the latest flight updates, please contact your respective airlines. We sincerely regret for any inconvenience caused," a social media post from Delhi airport reads.Delhi records 'severe' AQIVisibility in Delhi was severely affected on Monday morning as a thick layer of smog and fog enveloped the city, reducing visibility and disrupting air traffic operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The weather conditions led to concerns over delays and rescheduling of flights, particularly during early morning hours.The air quality was 'severe' at 38 stations while it was 'very poor' at two stations. Jahangirpuri, which recorded an AQI of 498, recorded the worst air quality amongst all 40 stations.According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.The AQI in Delhi had climbed to 461 on Sunday and marked the city's most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality day on record, as weak winds and low temperatures trapped pollutants close to the surface.The air quality monitoring station at Wazirpur recorded the maximum possible Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 500 during the day, beyond which the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) does not register data.
