Air India's Innovative Strategies To Navigate Delhi's Pollution

New Delhi, India's capital, is known for being one of the world's most polluted cities, with air pollution levels posing severe health risks. The poor air quality has irreversibly damaged the lungs of 2.2 million children, and India has the highest death rate from chronic respiratory diseases and asthma. Air India flights have to navigate this hazardous environment, and while I could not find specific information on how they manage the pollution, there are a variety of measures being taken by the government to combat the issue.

Air India's second-largest operator status at Delhi Airport

Air India is the second-largest operator at Delhi Airport, with about 430 daily flights. In 2019, the airline diverted 12 flights, rescheduled 14, and cancelled 4 due to poor visibility caused by severe air pollution. The air pollution in Delhi is attributed to various factors, including vehicular emissions, dust, industrial emissions, crop stubble burning, road dust, vehicle pollution, and cold weather. The poor air quality has severe health implications, causing eye irritation, respiratory issues, and irreversible lung damage in children.

Delhi's air pollution has been identified as the worst among major cities worldwide, with the air quality index (AQI) frequently reaching hazardous levels. The crisis is exacerbated from October to January when colder temperatures and crop stubble burning contribute to the formation of thick smog. The situation has led to the implementation of various measures, such as school closures, remote work policies, and the consideration of artificial rain through cloud seeding.

The impact of air pollution on flight operations at Delhi Airport is significant. In November 2024, over 370 flights were delayed due to dense fog and pollution, affecting both arrivals and departures. The severe air pollution and low visibility have resulted in the diversion, delay, or cancellation of flights on multiple occasions.

To address the air pollution issue, the Delhi government has taken steps such as shutting schools and government offices and recommending remote work. Additionally, initiatives like the Aerosol and Air Quality Research Facility have been launched to study air pollution in India, and the consideration of a large-scale tree-planting project is also underway.

Diversion, rescheduling, and cancellation of flights

Delhi's air pollution has been described as the worst of any major city in the world. The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi generally falls within the "Satisfactory" and "Moderate" ranges between March and September. However, from October to February, the AQI drastically deteriorates to "Poor", "Severe", or "Hazardous" levels due to various factors, including crop stubble burning, firework usage during Diwali, thermal power plants, road dust, vehicle pollution, and cold weather.

The poor air quality in Delhi has led to the diversion, rescheduling, and cancellation of flights. In November 2019, 37 flights were diverted to other airports due to poor visibility caused by air pollution. National carrier Air India diverted 12 flights, rescheduled 14, and cancelled 4. Other airlines such as SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Vistara also reported diverting flights to cities like Mumbai, Amritsar, and Lucknow.

In November 2024, over 100 flights were delayed and 3 were cancelled due to smog and poor visibility at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. The worsening pollution levels have also sparked widespread health issues such as eye irritation and respiratory problems.

The air pollution in Delhi is a complex issue influenced by various factors, and it has severe impacts on transportation, public health, and the environment. The Indian government and authorities have implemented measures such as school closures, remote work policies, and artificial rain stimulation to mitigate the effects of air pollution and improve air quality.

Air India's advisory to passengers

Air India advises passengers to expect disruptions to their travel plans when the air quality in Delhi is poor. The airline recommends that passengers travelling to or from Delhi allow extra time for their journey, as slow-moving traffic and low visibility may cause delays.

In the past, poor visibility has led to the cancellation, rescheduling, and diversion of flights to and from Delhi. In November 2019, Air India diverted 12 flights, rescheduled 14, and cancelled 4 due to poor visibility caused by air pollution. Similarly, in November 2024, over 370 flights were delayed at Delhi Airport due to dense fog and pollution.

Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights before leaving for the airport and to contact the airline for updated flight information. It is also recommended that passengers follow travel advice from local authorities and take any necessary precautions to protect their health.

The air pollution in Delhi is a severe issue that affects the health and safety of residents and visitors. The poor air quality has been linked to respiratory issues and other serious health problems. To address the problem, various measures have been proposed, including the stimulation of artificial rain to clear the smog and the creation of a green ecological corridor.

Visibility issues and their impact on flights

On November 3, 2019, poor visibility due to smog caused the diversion of 37 flights, with Air India diverting 12, rescheduling 14, and cancelling 4. Similar incidents occurred in November 2024, when over 100 flights were delayed, and 3 were cancelled due to low visibility caused by severe smog. The issue of visibility is critical, as it can lead to accidents, such as the 24-vehicle pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway during the "Great Smog of Delhi" in 2016.

To address these visibility issues and their impact on flights, airlines like Air India and IndiGo have implemented several measures. They advise passengers to allow extra travel time to reach the airport due to potential slow-moving traffic caused by poor visibility. They also recommend that passengers check their flight status before starting their journey, as poor visibility can result in flight delays and cancellations. These measures aim to minimise the impact of visibility issues on passengers and ensure their safety.

Additionally, authorities in Delhi have explored various solutions to mitigate the severe air pollution, including the consideration of a 1,600 km long and 5 km wide green ecological corridor along the Aravalli Range. They have also discussed remote work policies for employees in the National Capital Region (NCR) to reduce vehicle emissions, one of the major contributors to air pollution in Delhi.

Causes of Delhi's air pollution

Delhi, the ninth-most populated metropolis in the world, is one of the most heavily polluted cities in India. The air pollution in Delhi is caused by a combination of factors, including:

Vehicular Emissions: Motor vehicle emissions are a significant contributor to Delhi's poor air quality. In 2018, India's Ministry of Earth Sciences attributed almost 41% of air pollution to vehicular emissions. The large number of vehicles on the road, coupled with slow-moving traffic due to frequent pedestrian crossings, contributes to the high levels of vehicle pollution. In addition, court-ordered restrictions on bus services in Delhi have led to an increase in private car ownership, further exacerbating the problem.

Industrial Emissions: Industrial activities, including power plants, factories, and illegal industrial operations, release pollutants into the air. According to the 2018 research paper by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, industrial emissions account for 18% of air pollution in Delhi.

Stubble Burning: Farmers in neighbouring states have been burning crop residues, such as rice stubble, to clear their fields since the 1980s. This practice, known as stubble burning, is a major contributor to Delhi's air pollution, especially during the harvest season from October to February.

Firecrackers during Diwali: The bursting of firecrackers during the Diwali festival significantly contributes to Delhi's air pollution. The smoke and particulate matter released into the air during this period worsen the air quality.

Thermal Power Plants: The operation of thermal power plants in the National Capital Region (NCR) releases pollutants into the atmosphere, affecting Delhi's air quality.

Road Dust: The presence of road dust, resulting from construction activities and unpaved roads, contributes to the high levels of particulate matter in Delhi's air.

Solid Fuel Combustion: Solid fuels, such as fuel woods, cow dung cakes, and crop residues, are burnt for cooking, heating, and waste disposal. The emissions from solid fuel combustion contain toxic pollutants and contribute to the formation of secondary organic aerosols.

Biomass Burning: The burning of agricultural waste, open waste, and residential waste also contributes to Delhi's air pollution.

These factors have led to severe air pollution in Delhi, causing widespread health issues such as eye irritation, respiratory problems, and irreversible lung damage in children. The poor air quality has also disrupted transportation, with flights being delayed or cancelled due to low visibility.

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