New Delhi, Jan 1 (NationPress) Flight services in numerous areas of northern and eastern India, particularly in Delhi, faced significant disruptions on Thursday due to a heavy fog that blanketed extensive regions, leading to a drastic drop in visibility. As a result, airlines issued advisories urging passengers to stay informed about their flight statuses.

The reduced visibility caused interruptions at various airports, including those in Delhi, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati. Airlines advised travellers to remain vigilant and check for updates to prevent any inconvenience.

Delhi started the New Year shrouded in a thick fog, along with pollution and a biting chill, as the air quality remained in the “very poor” range.

This dense fog, coupled with lower temperatures, exacerbated the already challenging environmental conditions in the national capital.

Recent data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicated that Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was at 372, reflecting persistently elevated pollution levels throughout the city.

On Thursday morning, Air India issued an advisory via X, alerting passengers that low visibility in parts of northern India, including Delhi, might disrupt flight operations.

“Forecasts for tomorrow morning suggest low visibility due to fog in various regions of northern India, including Delhi, which could affect flight schedules across our network,” the airline informed.

The airline mentioned its ‘FogCare’ initiative is available to assist passengers. “Our ‘FogCare’ initiative provides advanced notifications to passengers on flights likely to be impacted. It offers the option to either reschedule your flight without additional charges or receive a full refund,” Air India communicated to passengers on Wednesday.

Air India also recommended that travellers check the latest flight information on its official website and allow extra travel time to the airport due to current conditions.

IndiGo airline also reported weather-related disruptions, posting on X, “Low visibility and fog over #Ranchi and #Bhubaneswar have affected flight schedules. We are monitoring the weather closely and striving to ensure safe and smooth travel for our passengers.”

The airline encouraged passengers to stay updated on their flight information through official channels.

“We urge you to stay informed about your flight status via our website or app. Our teams are here to assist you at every stage and ensure you receive the necessary support. We hope for clearer skies soon to enhance our service, and we appreciate your patience during this challenging time,” IndiGo expressed.

As fog persisted over parts of the Northeast, IndiGo also cautioned passengers about slower aircraft movement at Guwahati airport.

“Departures and arrivals to and from the city, along with certain routes within our network, may experience brief delays as we navigate through the weather conditions,” the airline remarked.

Visibility significantly decreased in Guwahati as fog and haze covered the skies above the Assam capital, disrupting normal flight operations.

SpiceJet, on the other hand, informed its passengers about adverse weather conditions in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, and Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, warning that this situation could affect operations at both airports.

Lucknow airport recorded low visibility early on Thursday. Forecasts suggest visibility at the airport may improve to approximately 1,200 meters, with the India Meteorological Department predicting further enhancement to nearly 2,000 meters between noon and 2 p.m.