Air India Issues Advisory for Delhi Travel Ahead of Republic Day

Key Points:

• Travel Alert: Air India has urged passengers traveling to and from Delhi around January 26 to allow extra commute time and check flight statuses due to possible disruptions.
• Fog and Airport Congestion: Dense fog and cold weather conditions are reducing visibility, contributing to airport congestion and potential flight delays.

Weather and Pollution Update:

• Fog: A thick blanket of fog enveloped Delhi, hampering visibility early morning.
• Cold Wave & Pollution: Delhi continues to face a cold wave, exacerbating air pollution levels.
• Air Quality Index (AQI):
  • National Capital (Average): AQI recorded at 344, a significant rise from 252 the previous day.
  • Notable AQI Readings Across Locations:
    • Vivek Vihar: 414 (Severe)
    • Wazirpur: 408 (Severe)
    • Rohini: 399 (Very Poor)
    • Nehru Nagar: 394 (Very Poor)
    • Okhla Phase-2: 380 (Very Poor)

Air India Advisory Highlights:

1. Buffer Time: Passengers should plan additional time for travel to the airport to avoid delays due to Republic Day preparations and weather conditions.
2. Flight Updates: Travelers are advised to check real-time flight statuses and reach out to Air India’s contact center for assistance.
3. Visibility Warnings: The airline warns of potential disruptions in cities beyond Delhi due to dense fog.

Air Pollution Scale:

• Categories:
  • Good (0-50), Satisfactory (51-100), Moderate (101-200), Poor (201-300), Very Poor (301-400), Severe (401-500).
• Current Impact: Many locations, including Vivek Vihar and Wazirpur, reported AQIs in the ‘Severe’ category, posing risks to public health.

Thoughts to Ponder:

How can Delhi mitigate travel disruptions and the deteriorating air quality during major national events like Republic Day?