Air India Issues Low Visibility Alert: How FogCare Protects Delhi Travelers

January 1, 2026 at 07:27 PM•3 min read

Air India and IndiGo issued travel advisories for passengers due to low visibility fog in North India, causing over 150 flight cancellations and delays at Delhi Airport (IGI),

Key Points

1Over 150 flights were cancelled or delayed at Delhi's IGI Airport due to dense fog on New Year's Eve, impacting New Year travel plans.
2Air India activated its 'FogCare' initiative, offering passengers complimentary rescheduling or a full refund without penalty for affected flights.
3Delhi Airport is operating under CAT-III procedures, a specialized system for extremely low visibility, which still results in operational delays and backlogs.
4IndiGo and other carriers issued advisories, warning that low visibility conditions are likely to affect flight movements into the afternoon hours across northern India.

Air India has issued a critical travel advisory for passengers due to persistent low visibility fog across parts of northern India. This includes the major hub of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi. The dense winter fog is expected to significantly impact flight schedules throughout the airline's network.

Significant Flight Disruptions

This advisory follows a period of major operational disruption at Delhi airport (IGI). On the day preceding the New Year, at least 150 flights were either cancelled or delayed due to the low visibility conditions. Specific figures show 78 arrivals and 70 departure flights were cancelled at the airport. Additionally, two flights bound for Delhi were diverted to other cities.

IndiGo, India's largest carrier, also issued a separate travel advisory. The airline warned that flight movements could be impacted well into the noon hours. This is due to the prevailing foggy weather conditions across several North India flight schedules and airports.

Air India's Proactive 'FogCare' Initiative

To mitigate passenger inconvenience, Air India has activated its customer-centric 'FogCare' initiative. This program provides advance alerts to passengers whose flights are most likely to be affected by the fog.

Key features of the FogCare initiative include:

Complimentary Rescheduling: Passengers can reschedule their flight at no extra cost.
Full Refund Option: A full refund is available without penalty for impacted bookings.
Advance Alerts: Proactive communication via SMS and email about potential delays.

This allows travelers to avoid long, uncertain waits at the airport.

Operational and Regulatory Context

Airport operations are currently being conducted under CAT-III procedures. This specialized system allows aircraft equipped with advanced systems to land. It is used during extremely low visibility flight disruptions, such as when visibility drops to 50 meters. However, even with CAT-III, operational backlogs and delays are common.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has designated a specific fog window for the winter season. The Civil Aviation Ministry has instructed airlines to strictly adhere to passenger service norms. This includes providing timely information and assistance during delays. Airlines must also offer rebooking or refunds where applicable.

Stakeholders in winter air travel India must prioritize safety and communication. Passengers are strongly encouraged to check their latest flight status before traveling. This is a crucial step to minimize personal disruption during the fog season. For the latest commercial aviation news, check out flying.flights. IndiGo also urged passengers to monitor their flight status closely.