Dense smog blanketing the national capital has triggered significant flight disruptions at Chennai International Airport for the second consecutive day. On Wednesday, a total of 11 flights were cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions in Delhi, severely impacting passenger travel plans.
Details of the Cancellations
The cancellations affected both inbound and outbound services. Of the 11 flights grounded, seven were arrivals and four were departures. The disruption was not limited to direct flights from Delhi. Several flights originating from other Indian cities, including Indore, Pune, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Patna, were also cancelled. These flights were part of the daily roster that required a connection through Delhi, leading to a cascading effect on the network.
On the departure front, return flights from Chennai to key destinations such as Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Hindon were called off. This series of cancellations comes a day after an even larger disruption on Tuesday, when 19 flights were cancelled at Chennai airport, citing the same persistent smog issue in North India.
Airport Operations and Passenger Impact
Authorities at Chennai airport confirmed that aside from these specific cancellations linked to Delhi's weather, flight operations at the airport were normal on Wednesday. The situation highlights the vulnerability of India's interconnected aviation network to severe weather events in major hubs. Passengers booked on affected routes faced last-minute rescheduling challenges and uncertainty.
Looking Ahead
The recurring cancellations underscore the broader impact of air quality and visibility issues on critical infrastructure like air travel. While airport operations in Chennai remain functional, the dependency on clear conditions in Delhi continues to pose a risk for seamless connectivity. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for real-time updates, especially for flights routed through or destined for North India, until the smog conditions in Delhi improve.
