Dense fog once again descended upon the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) on the morning of Wednesday, December 31, 2025, severely hampering air travel. Visibility plummeted to as low as six to seven feet in several areas, throwing flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport into disarray. Major airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have issued warnings about significant delays and cancellations.
Airlines Issue Travel Advisories Amid Poor Visibility
The Delhi airport authority confirmed that operations were being conducted under CAT III protocols due to the challenging weather conditions. This specialized instrument landing system allows operations in very low visibility but often leads to reduced traffic flow. "Due to prevailing dense fog conditions, flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III protocols, which may result in delays or cancellations," the airport stated in an early morning advisory. They assured passengers that ground teams were actively assisting to manage the situation.
IndiGo, India's largest carrier, alerted passengers about the widespread fog cover. "Foggy conditions are present across Delhi and several airports in northern India this morning," the airline posted on X. They cautioned that if the reduced visibility persists, both departures and arrivals could face increasing impacts throughout the day. The airline noted that Delhi and Hindon airports were wrapped in "chilly winter air and lingering fog," leading to schedule changes and slower operations.
Proactive Cancellations and Cascading Delays
Air India took a pre-emptive stance, announcing potential disruptions a day in advance. "Due to forecasts of dense fog and low visibility across Delhi and Northern India tomorrow [Wednesday] morning, we anticipate impacts on flight schedules and potential cascading delays across our network," the airline stated. To minimize passenger inconvenience, Air India revealed it had planned cancellations for some morning flights most likely to be affected. This measure, they explained, was to avoid prolonged and uncertain waits for travelers at airports.
The ripple effects of the fog are not confined to Delhi. SpiceJet highlighted that all departures and arrivals in Ayodhya (AYJ) were also affected due to the poor weather, which would have consequential impacts on its wider network. Similarly, delays and cancellations at the Delhi hub, a major aviation center, are expected to cause cascading disruptions to flights across the country throughout the day.
Passenger Guidance and Ongoing Situation
With visuals from areas like Anand Vihar and Akshardham showing the capital engulfed in a thick white blanket, authorities are urging flyers to stay updated. All airlines have consistently advised passengers to check their flight status via official websites or airline apps before heading to the airport. The situation remains fluid, with airport and airline teams closely monitoring visibility levels. The return of dense fog in the peak winter season underscores the annual challenge faced by aviation operations in northern India, prioritizing safety while managing widespread travel inconvenience.
