Severe fog and smog have engulfed large parts of northern India, leading to significant disruptions in air travel. Major airlines have been forced to issue travel advisories, warning passengers of widespread flight delays and cancellations.
Airlines Activate Fog Protocols Amid Poor Visibility
The situation deteriorated on the morning of Saturday, December 20, 2025, with visibility plunging across Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and the broader National Capital Region. The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) forecast of dense fog and smog materialized, reducing iconic buildings and flyovers to mere grey blurs. The capital's air quality also suffered, with the AQI nearing the 'severe' category at 384.
In response to the challenging conditions, airport authorities in Delhi implemented CAT III landing systems. Despite these measures, several flights were delayed, cancelled, or rescheduled as low visibility persisted through the morning. The disruption was not confined to Delhi, with airports in Patna, Bihar, also reporting multiple delays and cancellations due to the thick blanket of fog.
Travel Advisories from Major Carriers
Leading airlines have proactively communicated with passengers about the expected disruptions. Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet have all issued statements citing reduced visibility at key airports across the north.
The airlines specifically highlighted potential impacts on flight schedules at:
- Delhi
- Amritsar
- Chandigarh
- Jammu
- Lucknow
- Varanasi
- Patna
- Ranchi
- Hindon
In a post on social media platform X, IndiGo advised, "Low visibility and fog over #Ranchi, #Jammu and #Hindon (Airport) may impact flight schedules." The airline assured passengers that teams are monitoring the weather closely to ensure safe and smooth operations.
Similarly, Air India stated its vigilance and commitment to minimizing fog-related disruptions, especially during the busy holiday travel season. All carriers have activated ground support teams to assist affected travellers and have urged passengers to check their flight status regularly through official channels.
Official Guidance for Flyers
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has also released an advisory, confirming that flight operations at several airports in northern India are being affected. The authority has deployed dedicated passenger facilitation teams on the ground to help manage the situation.
For passengers traveling in the coming days, the key recommendations are:
- Stay in constant touch with your airline for real-time flight delay updates.
- Rely only on official communication from airlines and airports.
- Allow considerable extra time for travel to the airport and for completion of procedures.
With the IMD predicting that dense fog conditions are likely to persist across northern India for the next few days, passengers are advised to plan accordingly and brace for continued travel disruptions.
