Delhi Dense Fog Threatens Air India, IndiGo Flight Schedules on New Year's Eve.

December 30, 2025 at 05:20 PM•2 min read

IndiGo and Air India have issued advisories for passengers due to the IMD's dense fog forecast, warning of significant flight schedule disruptions in Delhi and North India on December

Key Points

1The DGCA officially declared December 10 to February 10, 2026, as the 'fog season' window for North India.
2Airlines IndiGo and Air India issued advisories, warning of cascading flight delays and cancellations across their domestic networks.
3Delhi's IGI Airport is operating under CAT III low-visibility procedures, following a day where 128 flights were cancelled.

The aviation sector in North India faces severe disruption. This is due to a persistent dense fog forecast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange/Red Alert. This warning covers New Year’s Eve and beyond.

Major carriers Air India and IndiGo have issued passenger advisories. They warn of ongoing disruptions to flight schedules. The low visibility conditions are impacting operations. This affects the national capital and the northern belt.

Airline Response and Passenger Guidance

IndiGo, India’s largest airline, noted fluctuating visibility. This causes slower flight movements. The airline urges passengers to check their flight status. They should do this before heading to the airport. IndiGo offers rebooking or refund options.

Tata Group-owned Air India anticipates major impacts. This includes cascading delays across their network. The airline has taken proactive steps. This involves planned cancellation of some morning flights. This action minimizes prolonged airport waits. Air India also offers complimentary rescheduling or full refunds.

Operational Challenges and Regulatory Oversight

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport is affected. Visibility has recently dropped to 50–125 meters. Airport authorities have activated CAT III low-visibility procedures. These procedures allow limited operations. However, they significantly slow down air traffic. Reports show that one day saw 128 cancellations at IGI Airport.

The aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is monitoring the situation. The DGCA officially designated the period. December 10 to February 10, 2026, is the official fog season. This window expects frequent weather-related disruptions. Airlines must roster CAT-IIIB-trained pilots. They must also deploy compliant aircraft. This is essential for safe low-visibility operations.

Industry bodies like the IATA stress safety compliance. Delays affect airline turnaround times. This impacts the global commercial aviation news cycle. The widespread use of modern aircraft, like those from Airbus, helps. But weather remains a primary operational challenge.

Passengers traveling through North India must remain flexible. They should allow extra time for road travel. Fog conditions can affect ground transportation, too. The IMD forecasts generally cloudy skies. Light rain is possible on New Year’s Day. For the latest updates, travelers should consult official airline channels. Read more about aviation news and industry trends at flying.flights.