Air India has issued a crucial travel advisory for passengers as persistent fog and poor visibility continue to wreak havoc on flight schedules across several regions of the country. The airline urged travelers to verify their flight status before leaving for the airport to avoid inconvenience.
Widespread Flight Disruptions Expected
In an official statement released on Saturday night via social media platform X, Air India warned that reduced visibility due to fog is anticipated on Sunday morning. This is likely to impact flight operations in multiple cities across Northern India. The affected regions include Amritsar, Chandigarh, Udaipur, Varanasi, Jammu, and the national capital, Delhi.
The airline stated that this situation "may have an impact on flight schedules across the network." However, Air India assured passengers that it is "remaining vigilant and has taken proactive measures" to lessen the disruptions caused by the adverse weather conditions.
Air India's 'Fog Care' Initiative Activated
To assist passengers facing delays or cancellations, the carrier has activated its special "Fog Care" initiative. This program is designed for scenarios where flight schedules are altered due to circumstances beyond the airline's control, such as severe fog.
Under this initiative, flights predicted to be affected by fog, based on meteorological forecasts, are proactively identified. Passengers booked on these flights are then alerted about potential delays or schedule changes. Crucially, the initiative offers flexible options:
- Passengers can avail of complimentary rescheduling for their flights.
- They also have the choice to opt for a full refund without any penalty charges.
IMD's Grim Weather Forecast and Delhi's Chill
The travel advisory aligns with the latest predictions from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather office has forecast that dense fog conditions will continue over northwest India throughout the week. A warning has also been issued for cold day conditions in Delhi and neighboring states, including Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana.
The IMD further stated, "In the coming days, cold wave conditions are likely to persist over parts of north and northwest India, including Delhi-NCR." It added that no severe cold wave is currently threatening the region.
Delhi recently experienced its coldest January morning in two years on Friday, 9th January, when the minimum temperature plummeted to a chilling 4.6 degrees Celsius. This broke the previous records for this season, where temperatures of 5.6 degrees Celsius were recorded on 4th and 5th December 2025, and 5.7 degrees Celsius on 1st December.
Delhi's Air Quality Deteriorates
Compounding the travel woes, the national capital's air quality remains a significant concern. On Saturday, Delhi reported 'very poor' air quality, with a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 361. The air quality had slipped back into the 'very poor' category on Friday with an AQI of 345 and has been deteriorating since due to factors like vehicular emissions and the stagnant weather conditions accompanying the fog.
Passengers planning to travel from North Indian airports in the coming days are strongly advised to stay updated on their flight status through official airline channels and allow extra time for their journeys to the airport.
