Fog disrupts air travel across North India; over 105 flights cancelled in Delhi

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, December 15, 2025: Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were affected on Monday morning as dense fog and smog reduced visibility across the National Capital Region. Several flights faced minor delays, some were also cancelled as airlines adjusted their schedules to ensure passenger safety. The fog has affected over 300lights at Delhi Airport including 40 cancellations and 4 diversions.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a heavy fog alert for Delhi and northern India airports, urging passengers to check flight status, allow extra travel time, and stay patient as safety and operations are prioritised.

“Heavy Fog Alert for Northern India Delhi (DEL) & other airports in Northern India are experiencing dense fog, severely affecting visibility. For Passengers: Before heading to the airport, please check the latest flight status with your airline. Check flight information on the airport website/app. Please allow extra travel time. Safety is our top priority. Our teams & ATC are working tirelessly to minimize disruptions. Thank you for your patience and cooperation," reads Ministry Of Civil Aviation’s post on X.

Both IndiGo and Air India issued advisories, asking travellers to plan their journeys carefully and stay updated on flight status.

IndiGo has cancelled 109 flights today across routes linked to Delhi, including services to and from Varanasi, Srinagar, Amritsar, Patna, Indore, Jaipur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Jammu, Leh, Pune and other regional destinations.

Airlines issue travel advisories

IndiGo said Delhi experienced its first spell of winter fog, with visibility dropping sharply around the airport. The airline warned that some flights could get cancelled and departures could take longer than usual as operations were adjusted to changing weather conditions. Passengers were advised to allow extra time to reach the airport, as road traffic was also moving slowly due to poor visibility.

“Due to dense fog in Delhi this morning, visibility has reduced drastically, impacting flight operations. As a precaution, some flights may be proactively cancelled through the day to prioritise safety and help minimise extended waiting at the airport," reads IndiGo post on X.

IndiGo added that its ground and flight operations teams were closely monitoring the situation and would keep passengers informed. The airline assured travellers that safety remained its top priority while normal operations were gradually restored.

Air India also issued a similar advisory, stating that poor visibility caused by dense fog was affecting flight operations in Delhi and other parts of northern India. The national carrier urged passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport to avoid inconvenience.

Low visibility forces CAT-III operations at IGI

Dense fog disrupted flight operations at Delhi’s IGI Airport with authorities implementing CAT-III procedures to manage low-visibility conditions. Under these conditions, aircraft landings and take-offs are possible, but delays and disruptions remain likely.

Airport officials said flight movements are continuing with caution, and safety protocols are being strictly followed. The airport administration added that it is in constant coordination with airlines and other agencies to reduce inconvenience to passengers. Travellers have been advised to check their flight status with airlines before leaving for the airport and allow extra travel time.

Smog and fog blanket the Capital

Visibility levels remained extremely poor in the early morning hours. At around 5:30 am, visibility at Palam airport, which had been around 100 metres since 4:30 am, dropped further to just 50 metres due to dense fog. Westerly winds were reported at speeds of 5 to 7 kmph.

In other parts of Delhi, Safdarjung also recorded visibility of 50 metres. Conditions were worse in west Uttar Pradesh, where Hindon reported zero visibility, highlighting the widespread impact of fog across the region.

A thick layer of smog covered large parts of Delhi on Monday morning, leaving residents struggling for clean air. Visuals from the Barapullah flyover showed hazy roads and low visibility, forcing vehicles to move cautiously. Authorities issued an orange alert for dense fog in the city for the next three hours, warning commuters to remain careful.

The combination of fog and pollution made conditions particularly challenging during the early hours, affecting both air and road travel.

Air quality remains severe

Air quality in the capital continued to deteriorate, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 433. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, this level falls under the ‘severe’ category and poses serious health risks, especially for children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.

The heavy smog further reduced visibility and added to travel disruptions across the city.

Visibility drops

Visibility levels remained extremely poor in the early morning hours. At around 5:30 am, visibility at Palam airport, which had been around 100 metres since 4:30 am, dropped further to just 50 metres due to dense fog. Westerly winds were reported at speeds of 5 to 7 kmph.

In other parts of Delhi, Safdarjung also recorded visibility of 50 metres. Conditions were worse in west Uttar Pradesh, where Hindon reported zero visibility, highlighting the widespread impact of fog across the region.