Air India Faces Criticism for Smog-Related Delays, Cancellations at Delhi Airport

Air India has come under significant scrutiny from passengers, including prominent public figures, over widespread flight cancellations, prolonged delays, and inadequate ground support at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). The disruptions, primarily attributed to dense smog and poor visibility conditions across northern India, led to a barrage of criticism on social media regarding the airline's handling of the operational challenges.

Among the critics were DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, who detailed a frustrating experience on flight AI2832 from Chennai to Delhi. Maran reported that after landing, the aircraft remained stuck on the taxiway for an hour due to an unavailable parking bay, followed by another two hours with passengers, including six Members of Parliament, trapped inside without ground staff assistance. Former Indian high commissioner to Canada, Ajay Bisaria, also highlighted passenger distress, noting nearly four-hour waits for updates and extended queues for baggage retrieval and rebooking. Author Neelesh Misra questioned the timing of last-minute cancellations, which left travelers stranded after already reaching airports.

Air India responded to some of the criticisms by stating that cancellations were a "consequential impact of poor visibility caused by dense fog." The airline affirmed that its teams were "trying to the best of their abilities to assist all passengers," while requesting patience. However, the incidents have prompted broader questions from passengers and public figures alike regarding the preparedness of airlines to effectively manage seasonal disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions in the region.