Around 200 flights were delayed on Sunday as dense fog continued to disrupt air and rail travel across northern India, as per reports. Low visibility has become a regular morning feature over the past
few days, affecting movement and causing inconvenience to passengers.
Flights cancelled and delayed
Officials said two scheduled commercial flights were cancelled at Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya. These included Air India Express flight IX1284/IX1274 on the Delhi–Ayodhya–Delhi route and SpiceJet flight SG615/SG614 operating on the Mumbai–Ayodhya–Ahmedabad sector.
At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, more than 200 flights were delayed due to foggy conditions. While no major cancellations were reported at IGI, passengers faced longer waiting times as flight schedules were adjusted to cope with reduced visibility.
AAI issues advisory
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued an advisory on Sunday, warning that fog in parts of northern India was affecting visibility and could lead to changes in flight operations at select airports.
“Passengers are advised to check flight updates with their airlines through official channels and allow extra time for airport travel and formalities,” the advisory said. AAI also confirmed that passenger assistance teams had been deployed at affected airports to provide on-ground support.
Delhi airport’s status
Delhi airport said that operations were continuing as normal despite the weather conditions. However, passengers were asked to consult their respective airlines for the latest flight schedules. The airport authorities wished travellers a safe journey and urged them to plan ahead.
Smog worsens air quality
Alongside fog, Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of toxic smog on Sunday morning. The Air Quality Index stood at 390 around 7 am, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Several areas recorded ‘severe’ pollution levels, with dense haze causing discomfort across the city.
Helpline numbers
AAI shared customer support numbers of major airlines to assist passengers:
IndiGo: 0124 497 3838
Air India: 011 6932 9333
SpiceJet: 0124 498 3410 / 0124 710 1600
Air India Express: 0124 443 5600 / 0124 693 5600
Akasa Air: 9606 112 131
Alliance Air: 044 3511 3511
