Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of fog on Christmas morning, with air quality remaining in the ‘very poor’ category. The dense fog severely affected visibility, leading to disruptions at the Delhi airport. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Wednesday, warning of continued dense fog during the early morning hours.
Temperatures in the capital were expected to range between a maximum of 22°C and a minimum of 9°C, with the fog lingering into the early part of the day. As a result, the airport advised passengers to stay updated on flight status.
While flight operations continued at the airport, the fog impacted flights that were not equipped with CAT III navigation systems. CAT III is an advanced system designed to assist aircraft in landing during inclement weather, such as dense fog, providing critical visibility guidance.
In a statement, the Delhi airport confirmed that landings and takeoffs were ongoing, but flights that do not have CAT III compliance could face delays or diversions. Passengers were urged to contact airlines for real-time updates on their flight schedules. “We deeply regret any inconvenience caused,” the airport added.
IndiGo Airlines also issued an advisory to its passengers, cautioning them about potential delays. “A blanket of fog wraps Delhi’s cold winter morning and may impact flight schedules. If you or your loved ones are travelling, we recommend checking the flight status before heading to the airport,” the airline posted on X (formerly Twitter).
As the city grapples with both the weather and air quality challenges, passengers are advised to stay informed and exercise caution when traveling.
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