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Indian carrier IndiGo will start compensating passengers affected by the widespread flight cancellations earlier this month. The airline will issue travel vouchers worth Rs 10,000 from December 26 to passengers who were severely impacted and stranded at airports for several hours on December 3, 4, and 5, according to multiple reports cited by IANS.

These vouchers are in addition to the Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 compensation mandated under government norms. The decision was taken at a high-level review chaired by Aviation Secretary Samir Sinha, who directed IndiGo to ensure all eligible passengers receive payments without further delay.

A decision was made that payments should begin within a week for passengers who booked directly through IndiGo's website, as their data is already with the airline. IndiGo has also been asked to collect passenger details from travel agents and online travel agencies to ensure direct payments reach all affected customers.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will oversee the distribution of compensation and the Ministry of Civil Aviation will keep a check on the process through its Air Seva complaint portal. IndiGo has commenced refunds for its cancelled flights, yet numerous OTA (Online Travel Agency) customers still have not received refunds, indicating the lack of proper coordination between the airlines and the booking intermediaries.

Also Read: CCI to probe IndiGo disruptions under Competition Act

IndiGo Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta earlier stated, "The airline's Board will bring in external technical experts to work with the management and identify the root causes behind last week's massive flight disruptions." He added that these experts will help ensure such large-scale operational failures do not recur.

Meanwhile, IndiGo confirmed that all destinations in its network have been fully connected since December 8, and operations have stabilised since December 9.

Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) issued a passenger advisory on Saturday, as fog continued to blanket the national capital. The airport stated that low visibility procedures are still in progress, but all flight operations are functioning normally.

In its 7:00 am statement, the airport advised, "Low Visibility Procedures are still in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are functioning normally. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates."

Earlier, the airport reported that flight operations were affected by cold weather and dense fog, though visibility was gradually improving. Arrivals and departures were continuing, with some delays possible. "Flight operations were earlier impacted by dense fog; however, visibility is now improving. Arrivals and departures are continuing, though some delays may still occur. Our on-ground staff is coordinating with all stakeholders to assist passengers across the terminals. For the latest flight status, please check with your airline or visit Delhi Airport's official website. We regret the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding," the advisory said.

Also Read: IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers says ‘worst is behind us’ as 2,200 flights restored; shares jump 3%

Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality deteriorated on Saturday morning, with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 384 at 8 am, placing it in the 'very poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The AQI was higher than Friday’s 374 at 4 pm, leaving large parts of the city covered in dense smog and reducing visibility.

IndiGo also issued a travel advisory warning of potential flight disruptions to Ranchi, Jammu, and Hindon airports due to dense fog. "Low visibility and fog over #Ranchi, #Jammu and #Hindon (Airport) may impact flight schedules. We are closely monitoring the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly. We request that you stay updated on your flight status bit.ly/3ZWAQXd. Please be assured that our teams are here to assist you at every step and provide full support. We look forward to clearer skies and a swift return to our regular schedule. Thank you for your patience and understanding," the airline said.

At Jaisalmer Airport, flight operations have also been affected by low visibility, prompting authorities to strictly enforce passenger facilitation norms to ensure safety and convenience.