NEW DELHI: Delhi woke up to a toxic mix of severe air pollution and dense fog on Monday, pushing the city’s Air Quality Index past the 400 mark and severely disrupting flight operations across northern India. The deteriorating conditions prompted the Ministry of Civil Aviation and multiple airlines to issue travel advisories, warning passengers of possible delays and cancellations.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s AQI stood at 402 at 8 am, placing it firmly in the ‘severe’ category. This marked a sharp decline from Sunday evening, when the AQI was recorded at 390 and classified as ‘very poor’. Several parts of the capital reported even worse conditions, with Anand Vihar registering an alarming AQI of 455, followed by Wazirpur at 443, Rohini at 442, Punjabi Bagh at 426 and Patparganj at 431.
The ministry of civil aviation acknowledged the impact of dense fog and smog across northern India, cautioning that reduced visibility could affect flight schedules at select airports. Passengers were advised to remain updated through official airline communication channels, arrive earlier than usual for check-in procedures and plan their travel with additional buffer time.
Airlines also issued separate advisories as visibility levels continued to drop. IndiGo said foggy conditions prevailed across Delhi and several northern airports, warning that both departures and arrivals could be impacted as the day progressed. The airline said it was closely monitoring the situation and making operational adjustments to minimise inconvenience, while urging passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
Air India stated that it had taken proactive measures to reduce disruptions, adding that passengers would be informed promptly of any changes through registered contact details and digital platforms.
Delhi airport authorities confirmed that flight operations were being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, a system that allows aircraft to land in extremely low visibility. However, officials cautioned that delays and cancellations remained possible despite these measures. Ground teams, the airport said, were actively assisting passengers to ensure smoother movement amid challenging conditions.
The thick fog also affected road visibility across the city, forcing motorists to use headlights during morning hours. Several areas including Anand Vihar, Dhaula Kuan, Akshardham, Dwarka and Kartavya Path witnessed near-zero visibility, adding to commuters’ discomfort.
While some locations such as IGI Airport Terminal 3, IIT Delhi and Najafgarh recorded comparatively lower AQI levels between 318 and 358, air quality in these areas still remained in the ‘very poor’ category.
With pollution levels remaining dangerously high and fog expected to persist, authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor exposure and stay alert to official advisories as winter conditions continue to worsen across the capital.