Thick smog disrupts Flights in Delhi and Punjab as air quality worsens

Several IndiGo flights between Delhi and Punjab were significantly delayed or even cancelled due to poor air quality and thick smog. This air pollution, which has drastically reduced visibility, caused major disruptions for passengers traveling between Delhi and Amritsar, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday.

IndiGo confirmed on social media that flights to and from Amritsar were affected by the unfavorable weather conditions. The airline acknowledged passengers’ concerns and assured them it would provide timely updates. Flights scheduled for early morning on both days faced delays of over two hours, with a 6 a.m. flight on Wednesday finally departing around 8 a.m. Several evening flights on Tuesday also faced similar issues, with one evening flight from Delhi to Amritsar and another from Amritsar to Delhi canceled due to low visibility. Another Wednesday morning flight scheduled to depart from Delhi Airport’s Terminal 3 at 5:45 a.m. was canceled after prolonged delays.

The smog, largely caused by stubble burning in nearby agricultural areas, has affected the entire region, with the air quality index (AQI) dropping to dangerous levels. Flights were unable to operate safely in these conditions, forcing airlines to make adjustments and, in some cases, cancel services altogether.

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Vice President's visit affected, Air Quality remains hazardous

The worsening smog also impacted travel plans for Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. His flight, scheduled to land in Ludhiana, had to be redirected due to poor visibility and landed at Amritsar Airport instead. While he stayed briefly in Amritsar, he ultimately canceled his plans to attend an event in Ludhiana and proceeded to his next engagement in Madhya Pradesh.

Air quality in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana dropped to hazardous levels this week, with areas in Delhi hitting "severe" and "hazardous" AQI categories on Wednesday. Farmers’ seasonal stubble burning after the paddy harvest is often blamed for the rise in pollution. The smoke and resulting smog from this practice travel to urban areas, severely impacting air quality and, as seen this week, affecting both travel and daily life across northern India.