Delhi fog: IndiGo cancels flights, Air India issues advisory amid orange alert

Delhi airport

• Dense fog in Delhi delays flights; airlines issue advisories.
• IMD issues orange alert for dense fog; AQI 369 indicates "very poor" air quality
• Passengers can rebook or get refunds for flights canceled by fog.

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Fog disrupted air travel in Delhi on Friday, prompting airlines to cancel and delay several flights and the weather department to issue warnings.

IndiGo on Thursday night announced that a few of its flights scheduled for Friday had been cancelled due to expected early-morning fog in Delhi. In a travel advisory posted on X, the airline said reduced visibility could affect flight operations and lead to longer waiting times at the airport.

“A few flights scheduled for tomorrow have been cancelled in advance to help reduce waiting time at the airport. We understand this may affect your plans and appreciate your understanding,” IndiGo said.

Passengers whose flights have been cancelled can rebook or claim a refund online. The airline also said its ground staff would be available to assist passengers at all touchpoints.

Air India warns of delays

Air India also issued an advisory warning that dense fog and poor visibility in Delhi and parts of northern India could impact flight schedules. The airline said delays or cancellations in the morning hours could have a ripple effect across its network throughout the day.

“Passengers booked on select flights during the fog window will continue to receive advance alerts under our FogCare initiative, with the option to change flights without additional payment or seek a full refund without penalty,” the airline said in its advisory.

Orange alert issued for dense fog

Residents of Delhi woke up to a foggy morning and “very poor” air quality on Friday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for dense fog in the city. Neighbouring areas such as Gurugram and Noida are also expected to see similar weather conditions.

According to the IMD, moderate fog is likely at many places, while dense fog may occur at isolated locations during morning hours. The combination of fog and smog from high pollution levels is expected to significantly reduce visibility, affecting both road traffic and flight operations.

Air quality remains very poor

Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 369 on Friday morning, falling in the “very poor” category.

The weather office said temperatures in Delhi-NCR are expected to dip further. The minimum temperature on Friday is likely to hover between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature is expected to be around 16 degrees Celsius. On Thursday, the city recorded a minimum of 10 degrees and a maximum of 17.6 degrees.

The IMD has also forecast light rainfall over the next few days. Cloudy skies, light drizzle and cold day conditions are expected to continue, keeping the weather dull across Delhi and the NCR.