Dense fog, poor air quality disrupt flights at Delhi airport as 129 cancelled

Dense fog coupled with poor air quality disrupted air traffic at the Delhi airport on Saturday, leading to the cancellation of 129 flights, officials said.

The national capital remained engulfed in thick fog and smog, resulting in sharply reduced visibility during the morning hours. Delhi’s air quality continued to be in the very poor to severe category, as stagnant winter conditions trapped pollutants close to the ground.

According to an official, 66 arriving and 63 departing flights were cancelled at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) due to low visibility conditions. Several other flights were delayed, causing inconvenience to passengers.

Flight operations at Delhi and a number of other airports have been affected over the past few days as persistent fog disrupted take-offs and landings.

“Low Visibility Procedures are currently in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are functioning normally,” Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said in a post on X.

DIAL operates IGIA, the country’s largest airport, which typically handles around 1,300 flights daily under normal conditions.

The adverse weather conditions have also impacted road and rail traffic in parts of north India, with authorities advising travellers to remain cautious and stay updated on travel advisories.