Dense winter fog and smog brought air travel at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport to a near standstill on Tuesday, causing massive disruptions for thousands of passengers. The severe visibility crisis led to the cancellation of 118 flights, the diversion of 18 others, and delays for more than 200 flights, according to a Hindustan Times report.
Airport Operations Grind to a Halt
The blanket of fog severely impacted both arriving and departing aircraft, creating widespread travel chaos. Airlines and airport authorities scrambled to manage the situation as visibility dropped sharply. IndiGo airline issued a travel advisory, stating it was closely monitoring conditions and making operational adjustments for passenger safety.
In an official statement, IndiGo explained, "Delhi and Hindon (Airport) continue to remain wrapped in chilly winter air and lingering fog this morning. The fluctuating visibility has led to changes in flight schedules, and operations may be slower than usual." The airline advised passengers to keep track of their flight status, noting that fog is expected to develop during late-night and morning hours across several North Indian airports.
Improving Visibility and Passenger Advisory
Later in the day, Delhi Airport issued a passenger advisory at 7 AM, announcing that flight operations had begun to run smoothly following a marginal improvement in visibility. The airport assured travellers that ground staff were deployed across all terminals to assist and provide necessary support.
"Flight operations are running smoothly as visibility at the airport has improved. Please be assured that our on-ground officials are available across terminals to assist passengers," said a Delhi Airport spokesperson. They urged passengers to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight schedule updates.
City's Air Quality Remains in 'Very Poor' Zone
Meanwhile, the national capital's air quality showed a slight improvement but remained hazardous. The city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 388 at 8 AM, placing it in the "very poor" category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Several localities, however, continued to gasp under 'severe' air pollution. Key areas recorded alarmingly high AQI levels:
- Anand Vihar: 451
- Jahangirpuri: 451
- Ashok Vihar: 433
- Chandni Chowk: 432
- Patparganj: 412
- Nehru Nagar: 402
IMD's Dense Fog Warning for North India
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that visibility in Delhi at 6:30 AM was approximately 350 meters. The weather office issued a dense fog advisory, warning of dense to very dense fog across a vast swathe of the region, including Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Northeast and East India.
The IMD forecast predicts very dense fog to persist during night and morning hours in Haryana, Chandigarh, West Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab until December 31. East Uttar Pradesh is likely to experience similar conditions until January 1, and Odisha from December 31 to January 2, 2026.
The Regional Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for south, central, and northeast Delhi, while west, northwest, and north Delhi received a yellow alert for moderate to dense morning fog. Early morning temperatures were recorded at 10°C, adding to the chilly conditions.
The twin challenges of severe pollution and dense winter fog continue to test the infrastructure and resilience of India's busiest airport, disrupting the travel plans of countless passengers during the peak holiday season.
