New Delhi, Dec 18 (NationPress) In light of dense fog conditions, the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in the capital city issued a travel advisory early Thursday morning, informing passengers that Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) had been activated, although flight operations remained largely unaffected.

At 4:30 a.m., the airport authorities announced that the fog had severely diminished visibility, prompting the implementation of LVP to safeguard aircraft operations. Officials reassured that flight services were operating normally at the time of the advisory's release.

In a communication shared on X, the advisory stated, "Low-visibility procedures are in effect at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are currently running as scheduled. Passengers are encouraged to check with their respective airlines for updated flight information."

Authorities at the airport urged passengers to maintain communication with their airlines for the most current details regarding flight departures and arrivals, as weather conditions might affect schedules.

As Delhi and extensive regions of North India faced dense fog and low visibility on Thursday morning, multiple airlines, such as SpiceJet, Air India, and IndiGo, also issued advisories, recommending that passengers verify their flight statuses prior to heading to the airport.

SpiceJet informed passengers via their official X account that all departures and arrivals might be impacted due to the fog in Delhi, advising travellers to check their flight status through the airline's official website regularly.

Air India warned of potential poor visibility in the coming days, which could affect its main hub in Delhi and several other airports in northern and eastern India as well as additional cities.

The national carrier also outlined steps taken to alleviate passenger inconvenience due to fog-related disruptions, stating that assistance would be available around the clock to help travellers make alternative arrangements if necessary.

As part of Air India's 'FogCare' initiative, passengers facing potential delays will receive advance alerts on their mobile devices. Additionally, affected travellers will have the option to change their flights without incurring extra fees or to request a full refund of their bookings.

IndiGo also issued an advisory on X regarding flight operational disruptions due to low visibility in Chandigarh. "As a precaution, several flights have been cancelled throughout the day to prioritize safety," the airline noted, encouraging passengers to allow extra travel time and check their flight status in advance via the official website.

These advisories come at a time when Delhi continues to combat escalating pollution levels and ongoing smog.

The city remained shrouded in thick smog on Thursday morning, with air quality deteriorating further as the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 356, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Of the 39 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi, four reported AQI readings classified as 'severe', while many others approached similar levels, highlighting the ongoing hazardous air conditions throughout the city.

Visuals from various locations in Delhi and the NCR revealed drastically reduced visibility as dense smog enveloped roads, residential areas, and public spaces, complicating daily commutes and raising health concerns among residents.

Data from the Commission for Air Quality Management's SAMEER app indicated an AQI of 358 at 7 a.m. on Thursday.