Dense Fog Disrupts Flight Operations at Delhi IGI Airport as Very Poor Air Quality and Toxic Smog Continue to Grip the Capital

Delhi: Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport issued a fog alert on Tuesday morning, warning passengers that flights may face delays due to low visibility. Dense fog during early hours reduced visibility across the national capital, affecting both arrivals and departures.

In a message shared on social media around 6 am, Delhi Airport said flight operations are slowly getting back to normal, but some disruptions may still continue. Passengers were advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest updates before travelling. The airport authorities also said that staff members have been deployed at all terminals to help passengers.

The fog situation comes at a time when Delhi is also facing very high air pollution. On Tuesday morning, the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 378, which falls under the “very poor” category. Although this was slightly better than Monday’s “severe” level, pollution remained dangerous in many areas.

Several parts of the city continued to report alarming pollution levels. Areas like India Gate and Sarai Kale Khan recorded AQI levels close to 380 and 359. Pollution hotspots such as Ghazipur and Anand Vihar remained in the “severe” category with AQI readings above 400. Thick smog covered large parts of the city, reducing visibility and causing breathing discomfort for residents.

While Delhi struggled with poor air quality, other major cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad reported comparatively better air conditions, mostly in the “moderate” range.

Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) held a key meeting to discuss pollution caused by vehicle emissions in Delhi-NCR. Experts discussed pollution sources, health risks, and the need for better electric vehicle infrastructure. The committee is expected to suggest strong measures to control vehicle-related pollution.