Severe smog conditions disrupted flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Monday, forcing a Guwahati-bound flight scheduled for 5.35 pm to depart only around 11 pm. The delay was attributed to sharply reduced visibility as thick pollution and winter smog enveloped the national capital.
Passengers inside the terminal reported near-zero visibility on the runway after dusk, with flight movements slowed as safety checks intensified. When the aircraft finally took off late in the night, travellers witnessed a grim aerial scene below, with Delhi and its surrounding areas blanketed in dense haze, broken only by faint clusters of city lights struggling to cut through the smog.
The episode comes amid worsening air quality in Delhi, where pollution levels have repeatedly entered the hazardous category. Environmental experts have warned that the persistent smog poses serious public health risks, while residents continue to express alarm over the city’s deepening pollution crisis.
Aviation authorities said the delayed departure was cleared only after ensuring compliance with all safety protocols required under low-visibility conditions. While operations eventually resumed, the prolonged wait underscored the growing impact of air pollution on air travel during the winter months.
With stagnant weather patterns, vehicular emissions and industrial pollutants expected to persist, concerns are mounting that poor visibility could lead to further flight disruptions in the days ahead.
