Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) were severely impacted on Saturday, as dense fog blanketed much of northern India, reducing visibility to near zero. The dense fog disrupted both domestic and international flights, causing significant delays and cancellations. In a statement, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which manages IGIA, informed passengers about the ongoing operational challenges. “Due to dense fog, flight operations are impacted at Delhi Airport. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight operations. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” the statement read.
The poor visibility affected numerous flights, with passengers facing long delays. The situation worsened with airside congestion, as many aircraft were unable to take off or land on schedule. Both IndiGo and Air India, two of the country’s largest airlines, took to social media to alert their passengers about the ongoing disruption.
IndiGo, one of India’s top low-cost carriers, issued a notice to passengers stating, “Departures and arrivals at #DelhiAirport are currently on hold due to reduced visibility. Once operations resume, flights may still encounter delays due to airside congestion.” The airline urged travelers to stay in touch with their respective flight authorities for real-time updates, emphasizing that the situation could result in delays even after visibility improved.
Air India also echoed similar concerns, advising passengers to stay informed about the status of their flights and take appropriate action in case of cancellations or delays. Both airlines noted that they were working closely with airport authorities to minimize the impact on travelers, though they could not guarantee immediate resolution given the severe weather conditions.
As the dense fog continued to linger over Delhi on Saturday, both airlines and the airport management reminded travelers to check with their airlines for updated information, keeping in mind that operations might take longer to normalize due to congestion and safety protocols. The poor visibility also raised concerns about passenger safety, with delays seen as an inevitable consequence of ensuring safe air travel in such conditions.
Authorities at IGIA and the airlines involved are continuing to monitor the situation, while urging passengers to exercise patience as the weather clears. The dense fog episode underlined the challenges posed by seasonal weather conditions and the impact they can have on air travel operations.