Over 100 flights cancelled at Delhi airport as city wakes up to thick fog

More than 100 flights were cancelled at Delhi’s airport on Saturday as dense fog reduced visibility across the North India and disrupted air traffic.

Officials said at least 66 arriving flights and 63 departures were cancelled at the at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport amid the weather conditions.

The flight cancellations came amid poor visibility conditions, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) saying visibility at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport remained low during the morning hours. At 11 am IST, the general visibility at the airport was recorded at 500 metres.

The weather agency added that shallow to moderate fog is also expected during night and early morning hours. In its daily bulletin, the IMD said Delhi is likely to see a partly cloudy sky, with shallow fog at many places and moderate fog at a few locations till the forenoon.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) also issued a weather advisory cautioning that reduced visibility across parts of northern India could affect flight operations.

Low-visibility procedures were implemented at major airports, including Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, amid persistent fog, news agency ANI reported.

Domestic carrier IndiGo also issued a travel advisory, warning of possible disruptions to flights operating to and from Ranchi, Jammu and Hindon due to low visibility.

The airline said it was closely monitoring weather conditions and advised passengers to stay informed.

Flight operations at Jaisalmer Airport were also impacted by dense fog, with airlines directed to strictly follow passenger facilitation norms in the interest of safety and convenience, reported sources.