‘Safety our top priority’: Civil aviation ministry issues ‘heavy fog alert’ in Northern India’; flyers cautioned | India News

NEW DELHI: The ministry of civil aviation on Monday issued a travel advisory, urging flyers to head to airports only after checking the latest status of their flight.This comes as several flights were cancelled as low visibility conditions prevails in north India due to thick layer of fog.In a social media post on X, the ministry said that that Air Traffic Control along with other teams are “working tirelessly” to minimise disruptions. “Heavy Fog Alert for Northern India. Delhi (DEL) & other airports in Northern India are experiencing dense fog, severely affecting visibility.For Passengers: Before heading to the airport, please check the latest flight status with your airline. Check flight information on the airport website/app. Please allow extra travel time,” civil aviation ministry said.“Safety is our top priority. Our teams & ATC are working tirelessly to minimize disruptions. Thank you for your patience and cooperation,” it added.Meanwhile, IndiGo airlines also issued an advisory and said that weather situation could impact flight schedules and cause inconvenience to passengers travelling to and from Delhi.In a post on social media platform X, IndiGo informed passengers about the prevailing weather conditions and their potential impact on operations. “Travel Advisory…Low visibility and fog over #Delhi will impact flight schedules. We’re keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly,” the airline stated.The airline further urged travellers to remain vigilant and regularly check their flight status through official channels. IndiGo requested passengers to monitor updates via its website or mobile application and assured full support from its ground and customer service teams during the period of disruption.“We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Be assured, our teams are here to assist you at every step and ensure support… Here’s hoping dearer skies help us serve you better soon, and thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time,” the airline added in its advisory.Visibility in Delhi was severely affected on Monday morning as a thick layer of smog and fog enveloped the city, reducing visibility and disrupting air traffic operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The weather conditions led to concerns over delays and rescheduling of flights, particularly during early morning hours.