Heavy fog with near zero visibility disrupted operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Monday morning. As a result, at least 128 flights were cancelled, while eight others were diverted. Airport authorities confirmed that low-visibility procedures were in place to manage operations safely.
Hundreds of flights delayed at IGI Airport
According to FlightRadar24 data accessed at 10:30 am, the fog caused widespread delays. At least 178 departing flights and 69 arriving flights faced delays at the airport. The poor visibility slowed down air traffic movement and affected schedules across airlines.
CAT III procedures activated for safe landings
To handle the situation, airport authorities conducted flight operations under CAT III conditions. These procedures allow aircraft to land safely even in extremely low visibility. However, despite these measures, delays and cancellations continued throughout the morning.
The Delhi airport shared an update on X, saying, “Flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which may result in delays or cancellations. Our ground teams are on-site and actively assisting passengers to ensure a smooth travel experience. For the latest flight updates, please contact your respective airlines.”
Rail services also hit by low visibility
Meanwhile, the foggy conditions affected rail services as well. Several trains across north India ran behind schedule on Monday morning as visibility dropped sharply in many regions.
Airlines issue travel advisories
In response to the weather conditions, airlines issued advisories and urged passengers to stay updated on flight schedules.
IndiGo Airlines said fluctuating visibility in Delhi had led to changes in flight operations at both Delhi and Hindon airports. “Once the weather settles, operations will gradually stabilise, and flights will depart as planned. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to welcoming you onboard soon,” the airline posted on X.
Earlier, Air India had warned passengers about possible delays. In an advisory issued on Sunday evening, the airline said: “If you are flying with us tomorrow, we encourage you to check your flight status here before heading to the airport and allow extra time for your journey.”
SpiceJet also asked travellers to plan ahead and allow extra time, as poor visibility in Delhi was likely to impact normal flight operations.
Fog and cold tighten grip over north India
The India Meteorological Department said dense to very dense fog is expected to affect large parts of north India over the next few days. The weather agency said fog will likely continue during night and early morning hours in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and west Uttar Pradesh until December 31.
East Uttar Pradesh may continue to experience low visibility until January 1, after which conditions are expected to gradually improve.
Orange alert issued for Delhi
The weather department has issued an orange alert for Delhi on December 29. Officials expect the maximum temperature to hover around 22 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may drop to about 7 degrees Celsius.
Authorities have advised commuters and travellers to remain cautious and check updates before starting their journeys.