Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi activated Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) on Thursday morning as dense fog enveloped the national capital and surrounding regions, airport authorities said. Despite reduced visibility, flight operations continued without major disruption.
The advisory, issued at 4:30 a.m., informed passengers that safety protocols under LVP were in effect while all arrivals and departures were ongoing. Travelers were urged to stay in contact with their airlines for updated flight information.
“Low-visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information,” the airport advisory stated.
Several airlines, including SpiceJet, Air India, and IndiGo, also issued advisories highlighting possible schedule impacts due to fog. SpiceJet warned that departures, arrivals, and connecting flights could be affected, advising passengers to monitor the airline’s website regularly.
Air India stated that poor visibility could affect its primary hub in Delhi as well as airports in northern and eastern India over the coming days. Under its ‘FogCare’ initiative, the airline will provide round-the-clock support, enabling passengers to receive advance delay alerts via mobile notifications and change flights or seek full refunds without additional charges.
IndiGo announced that some flights from Chandigarh had been cancelled as a safety precaution due to low visibility and urged travelers to allow extra travel time while checking flight status online.
The dense fog coincides with deteriorating air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). On Thursday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 356 by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Four out of 39 monitoring stations in the city reported readings in the ‘severe’ category, while several others neared the same level.
Visuals from across Delhi and NCR showed heavily reduced visibility on roads, residential areas, and public spaces, raising concerns for both commuter safety and public health. According to the Commission for Air Quality Management’s SAMEER app, the AQI at 7 a.m. Thursday was recorded at 358, indicating persistent hazardous air conditions.
Authorities and airlines have urged travelers to exercise caution, plan for additional travel time, and closely monitor real-time flight information as dense fog and smog continue to impact visibility across Delhi. The implementation of LVP at IGI Airport ensures that aircraft operations can continue safely under reduced visibility, highlighting the emphasis on passenger and crew safety amid challenging weather conditions.
