United Airlines suspends flight to Delhi over air pollution concern

NEW DELHI: The world’s third-largest US-based carrier United Airlines on Saturday temporarily suspended Newark-Delhi flights due to pollution in Delhi. It also offered a fee waiver for its customers who are traveling to, from or through Delhi, which is applicable till November 18. 

“The change fee and any difference in fare will be waived for new United Airline flights departing on or before November 18, 2017, as long as travel is rescheduled in the originally ticketed cabin (any fare class) and between the same cities as originally ticketed,” United Airline said.

Other international carriers have also asked their Delhi offices for updates regarding Delhi’s air quality. “We have been asked to closely monitor the situation in Delhi, but no decision has been taken on flight operations,” spokesperson of Airline Operators Committee, an organisation of international airlines operating from Delhi, told The Sunday Standard.

According to sources, if Delhi’s air quality doesn’t improve in the coming days, more airlines can take decisions over flight operations to and from Delhi.

United Airlines is also monitoring advisories as the region remains under a public health emergency, and are coordinating with government agencies. The US Embassy has also warned its staff about the poor air quality. “Senior officials have warned the staff about poor air quality of Delhi. As it’s a long weekend, many of them have left Delhi,” a senior US Embassy official said on the condition of anonymity.