Dense smog shrouds Indian capital, threatening to disrupt flights

Spicejet

03/01/2025 04:51

NEW DELHI, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Thick smog engulfed the
Indian capital on Friday, prompting warnings of possible flight
disruptions from airport and airline officials, as worsening air
quality cut visibility to zero in some areas.
    Delhi, which has been battling smog and poor air quality
since the beginning of winter, ranked third among the world's
most polluted capitals in Friday's live rankings by Swiss group
IQAir.
    No diversion or cancellation has been reported yet, an
airport spokesperson said, although authorities warned in a post
on X that aircraft lacking equipment to enable landings in low
visibility could face difficulties. 
    On social media, India's largest airline IndiGo and low-cost
carrier Spicejet also cautioned against weather delays. 
    Delays averaged eight minutes for 20 flights by 10:14 a.m.,
aviation website FlightRadar24 said.
    Some train services in the capital were also delayed, media
said.
    New Delhi's air quality was rated "very poor" on Friday,
with an index score of 351, the country's top pollution control
body said, well beyond the levels from zero to 50 that it
considers "good".

 (Reporting by Shanima A in Bengaluru; additional reporting by
Tanvi Mehta in New Delhi; Editing by Sudipto Ganguly and
Clarence Fernandez)
 ((shanima.a@thomsonreuters.com; (Direct: +91 72 5956 7774);))