The Delhi airport on Tuesday issued a passenger advisory as thick smog enveloped the capital and disrupted flight operations.
The advisory comes after dense fog severely disrupted flight operations on Monday, with various airlines canceling more than 200 flights and diverting several to nearby airports due to low visibility, a Delhi airport official told PTI.
On Tuesday, the Delhi airport said in an announcement that flight operations are returning to normal but there are still some disruptions due to foggy conditions.
“Flight operations are constantly being restored, but some departures and arrivals may still be disrupted. Please contact your airline directly for accurate and timely updates,” it said.
The authorities have further ensured the availability of staff for the convenience of passengers.
“Our personnel are available across the terminals to assist passengers and provide necessary support. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding,” the Delhi airport said.
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Advice on IndiGo issues
Crisis-hit IndiGo, which also canceled several flights on Monday, issued an update on the fog situation in Delhi on Tuesday.
“With the arrival of winter, early mornings in northern India can bring fog that can slow down flight movements at times. We wanted to share this subtle heads-up in advance so that you can easily plan and check your flight status before heading to the airport,” it said.
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IndiGo noted that its officials were closely monitoring the weather situation.
“Wherever possible, we are making thoughtful adjustments on site to reduce inconvenience and ensure that any waiting time is as comfortable as possible,” it said.
More than 200 flights were canceled on Monday
As many as 228 flights were canceled as heavy fog enveloped Delhi on Monday, an official told news agency PTI.
Five other flights were diverted to nearby airports for landing due to low visibility amid the fog, an official at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport said.
However, apart from Air India, which announced the cancellation of about 40 flights in X post morning, no other airlines, including the crisis-hit IndiGo, shared the numbers of their canceled or delayed flights.
“As many as 228 flights – 131 departures and 97 arrivals – have been canceled so far due to low visibility,” an airport official said.
Besides, five flights have been diverted so far, he said.
The center rises up
The Civil Aviation Ministry on Monday stepped up air traffic monitoring as flight disruptions continued at the Delhi airport.
In a post on X, the ministry said senior officials visited the Airport Operations Center on Monday to review real-time operations and assess the situation on the ground.
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“Due to the prevailing foggy conditions at the Delhi airport, senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation visited the Airport Traffic Control Center and reviewed the real-time operations,” the ministry said. He further added that “Airports have been instructed to maintain close coordination with stakeholders, ensure timely dissemination of information and facilitate passenger comfort. Passenger safety and smooth operations remain our top priority.”
Delhi Airport is the busiest in the country, handling approximately 1,300 flights daily.
