NEW DELHI: The ministry of civil aviation on Monday issued a travel advisory after multiple flights were delayed due to a thick layer of smog and fog in northern parts of India.The ministry shared customer support numbers of various airlines and said, “Due to fog conditions across parts of Northern India, flight operations at select airports may be impacted, leading to possible delays.“
“Passengers are advised to stay updated through official airline communication channels, allow additional time for airport arrival and check-in procedures, and plan their travel accordingly,” it added.Airlines closely monitoring situationMeanwhile, various airlines issued travel advisory and urged flyers to check flight status before heading to airports.“Foggy conditions are present across Delhi and several airports in northern India this morning. If reduced visibility conditions persist, flight departures and arrivals may be impacted as the day progresses. We are closely monitoring the situation and are making operational adjustments wherever required to keep journeys moving as smoothly as possible,” IndiGo said.“We recommend checking your latest flight status before leaving for the airport here . As fog may also affect road traffic, keeping a little additional time in hand for your drive may help make your journey more comfortable. Should there be any changes to your flight, timely updates will be shared on your registered contact details and through our digital channels. Our teams remain attentive and ready to assist, and we will continue to keep you informed as conditions evolve. Here’s hoping for clearer skies soon,” it added.Additionally, Air India said that it has “taken proactive steps to minimise disruptions.” Delhi airport operating under CAT III conditionsMeanwhile, 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.“Flight operations are currently being carried out under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which may lead to delays or cancellations. Our ground teams are on-site and actively assisting passengers to ensure a smooth travel experience,” It said.“For the latest flight updates, please reach out to your respective airlines. We sincerely regret for any inconvenience caused,” it added.AQI hits 402This comes as Delhi woke up to a chilly morning on Monday with air quality deteriorating as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 402 at 8 am, slipping into the “severe” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).Also Read| Delhi air pollution: City slips into ‘severe’ category as AQI hits 403; ‘orange alert’ issued for dense fogFor comparison, the city recorded an AQI of 390 at 4 pm on Sunday, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. According to the CPCB, several areas across the city recorded worse air quality, with AQI levels exceeding 400.Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 455, while Bawana registered 411. Several other locations across the capital also witnessed severe pollution levels. Areas such as Wazirpur (443), Rohini (442), Punjabi Bagh (426), and Patparganj (431) saw further deterioration in air quality, settling in the ‘severe’ category, according to CPCB data.However, some areas of the city had relatively better air quality than others, yet still fell into the ‘very poor’ category. For instance, Dwarka Sector 8 recorded an AQI of 400, falling in the ‘very poor’ category, according to CPCB data. IGI Airport T3 (318), IIT Delhi (358), and Najafgarh (353) also recorded similar results, entering the ‘very poor’ category.Additionally, a dense fog blanketed the city, sharply reducing visibility. Many motorists were seen driving with their headlights on, while the conditions were causing discomfort for residents. In Anand Vihar, thick fog settled amid poor air quality. Similar foggy conditions were also witnessed in several areas, including Dhaula Kuan, Akshardham, Dwarka, and Kartavya Path this morning.
