Delhi’s transport network faced significant disruption on Monday, November 18, 2024, as a combination of severe air pollution, dense smog, and thick smog drastically reduced visibility across India’s capital region. Air travel bore the brunt of the adverse conditions, with major airlines reporting substantial operational challenges. A number of airlines issued advisories regarding the same. Here are all of the other important details that you would need to know about flight disruptions in Delhi.
Delhi Smog: Flights Disrupted, Airlines Issue Advisory
#6ETravelAdvisory: Fog is currently affecting visibility in Delhi, which may result in slow moving traffic and delays in flight schedules. We recommend allowing extra travel time and checking flight status before starting your journey https://t.co/rpnOvAOxQl. Safe travels!
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 17, 2024
SpiceJet issued an advisory through social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), warning passengers of potential delays. They encouraged them to monitor their flight status closely. Similarly, IndiGo alerted travellers about visibility issues affecting their services, whilst emphasising the likelihood of scheduling delays.
#WeatherUpdate: Due to poor visibility in Delhi (DEL), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status via https://t.co/qgJ2NF4QR5.
— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) November 18, 2024
The Delhi International Airport Limited or the DIAL, which manages the Indira Gandhi International Airport or the IGIA, implemented low visibility procedures. According to an article which was recently published by News18, this was done with the aim of coping with the deteriorating conditions.
The airport, which typically handles approximately 1,400 flight movements per day, advised passengers to maintain direct contact with their respective airlines for the most current flight information.
Other Important Details To Know About Weather In Delhi
Visibility based on 0830 IST Observation of today, 13th Nov 2024 at Delhi Airport (IGI)#fog #fogalert #weatherupdate #weatherforecast #IMDWeatherUpdate #DelhiNCR #delhifog #delhi@DelhiAirport @DGCAIndia @AAI_Official @RailMinIndia @NHAI_Official @moesgoi @DDNewslive… pic.twitter.com/8bnJq1lOgx
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 13, 2024
The impact extended beyond air travel, affecting rail services as well. The National Train Enquiry System reported that no fewer than twelve trains approaching New Delhi Railway Station experienced delays exceeding one hour due to the inclement weather conditions.
The situation was particularly acute during the early hours of Monday, with video footage revealing the extent of the smog enveloping the capital. This latest episode of severe pollution and visibility issues highlights the ongoing environmental challenges facing Delhi, particularly during the winter months when weather conditions tend to trap pollutants close to the ground.
DIAL officials maintained that despite the challenging conditions, flight operations continued, albeit with necessary adjustments to ensure safety. The airport authorities’ implementation of low visibility procedures demonstrated their preparedness for such weather-related challenges. though the broader impact on Delhi’s transport infrastructure remained significant.
Were your travel plans impacted by the smog in Delhi? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: @airnewsalerts/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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First Published: November 18, 2024 12:39 PM