Diwali smoke disrupts Chennai airport operations, 26 flights delayed
Diwali smoke disrupts Chennai airport operations, 26 flights delayed
IN · Published Nov 9, 2026
• Thick smoke from Diwali firecrackers caused significant disruptions at Chennai International Airport on Sunday night, reducing runway visibility and delaying 26 flights.
• An IndiGo flight from Raipur to Chennai was diverted to Bengaluru after visibility dropped below the minimum required for landing.

Impact & Risks

The reduced visibility affected both incoming and outgoing flights, with 11 arrivals and 15 departures delayed. Flights to and from major destinations such as Kolkata, Delhi, Pune, Singapore, and Dubai were impacted. While most flights eventually landed after visibility improved, the Raipur flight was diverted to Bengaluru as a precaution. The disruption highlights the risks posed by air pollution during festive celebrations, particularly near critical infrastructure like airports.

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