Dense fog triggers cascading flight delays across North India
A thick blanket of winter fog settled over large swathes of North India on Wednesday, sharply reducing visibility and slowing air traffic—most notably in the Delhi-NCR region. Indira Gandhi International Airport operated under CAT III low-visibility protocols, which enable landings in extremely poor conditions but do not eliminate delays or diversions. Airport authorities urged passengers to check flight status before leaving home, while airlines asked travelers to anticipate schedule changes as visibility fluctuated across the morning hours.
India’s Meteorological Department (IMD) flagged a red alert for dense fog in the capital through the morning, with the forecast indicating cloudy skies and light rain on New Year’s Day—a combination that could prolong travel disruptions. Major carriers including IndiGo and Air India issued advisories; Air India highlighted its FogCare program, offering select passengers fee-free rebooking or refunds on fog-affected flights. The operational picture remained fluid as ground teams worked to balance safety, punctuality, and customer support under low-visibility constraints.
What travelers can do right now:
- Monitor live flight updates from your airline and the airport’s winter travel page.
- Consider flexible rebooking options if offered under weather advisories.
- Arrive with additional buffer time to navigate slower boarding and ground movements.
