Dense smog at New Delhi Airport forces late‑night departure of Guwahati‑bound flight

Heavy smog once again cast a shadow over operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday, as a flight scheduled to depart for Guwahati at 5:35 pm was compelled to take off only at 11 pm. The prolonged delay came amid rapidly deteriorating visibility caused by a thick layer of pollution and winter smog engulfing the national capital.

Passengers waiting inside the terminal reported that the runway and surrounding areas were barely visible after nightfall. The aircraft, when finally airborne, offered a stark aerial view of Delhi and its neighbouring regions—an expanse shrouded in dense haze, illuminated only by scattered patches of city lights struggling to pierce through the smog.

Residents of Delhi continue to grapple with hazardous air quality levels, which environmental experts describe as a severe public‑health emergency. The persistent smog blanket has deepened concerns over the city’s worsening pollution crisis, with many describing the situation as an “existential threat” to daily life.

The delayed Guwahati‑bound flight eventually departed close to midnight, offering passengers a dramatic glimpse of the capital’s skyline submerged under toxic air. Aviation authorities maintained that safety protocols under low‑visibility conditions were strictly followed before clearance was granted for departure.

As winter conditions intensify, the combination of stagnant air, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollutants is expected to keep visibility low across the region, raising apprehensions of further disruptions in the days ahead.