Delhi 'air'pocalypse: Over 97 flights cancelled as air quality close to 'severe', AAI issues advisory
PTC News Desk: Delhi woke up to a dense layer of toxic smog on Sunday morning (December 21, 2025), with visibility dropping sharply and residents experiencing widespread discomfort. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 390 around 7 am, falling in the ‘very poor’ category, though air quality in several areas slipped into the ‘severe’ range.
A thick haze enveloped many parts of the capital, with pollution levels remaining critically high. In the Akshardham area, the AQI was recorded at 438, categorised as ‘severe’. Similar conditions prevailed in Ghazipur, where the AQI also touched 438, CPCB data showed.
As many as 97 flights were cancelled and more than 200 were delayed on Sunday because of poor visibility caused by dense fog at Delhi airport, officials said. Of the cancelled flights, 48 were arrivals and 49 were departures.
In a post on X around noon, Delhi airport operator DIAL said flight operations were functioning smoothly. DIAL manages the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the country’s busiest airport, which typically handles around 1,300 flights a day.
Flight services at Delhi and several other airports have been affected over the past few days due to persistent dense fog conditions.
- PTC NEWS
