Dense Fog and 'Poor' AQI Trigger Mass Flight Delays at Delhi IGI Airport

January 4, 2026 at 05:41 AM•3 min read

Central Pollution Control Board data shows Delhi's 'poor' Air Quality Index and dense fog caused significant flight delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport, impacting air travel.

Key Points

1The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 298 ('poor') on Sunday morning by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
2Dense fog and low visibility conditions led to multiple flight delays and 66 cancellations at IGI Airport on Saturday (Jan 3).
3The DGCA has mandated the use of CAT-IIIB compliant aircraft and specially trained pilots during the official 'fog window' from December 10 to February 10.
4Air quality is forecast to worsen to 'very poor' and may persist for up to six days, indicating continued operational challenges for airlines.

Air travel across northern India is currently facing severe operational challenges.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport is grappling with both dense fog and persistent poor air quality. This combination has led to continued winter flight delays and cancellations. The dual threat significantly impacts all commercial aviation news and operations in the region.

Air Quality and Visibility Crisis

The national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the 'poor' category on Sunday. The overall AQI was recorded at 298 around 7 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Several monitoring stations in Delhi slipped into the 'very poor' range. This included areas like Anand Vihar (AQI 350) and Chandni Chowk (AQI 355).

Simultaneously, moderate to dense fog sharply reduced visibility during morning hours. On Sunday, Safdarjung recorded visibility at 800 meters. Palam reported visibility of 1,100 meters, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data. The poor visibility directly disrupts flight schedules at the major hub.

Impact on Delhi IGI Airport Operations

The low visibility fog has forced airlines to adjust their schedules and operations. On Saturday, a total of 66 flights were cancelled at the airport. This included 32 arrivals and 34 departures. These cancellations were largely due to adverse weather conditions across the network.

Major carriers like IndiGo and Air India issued advisories. They urged passengers to check their India air travel status before heading to the airport. The disruption is expected to continue for several days. Forecasts suggest air quality may worsen to 'very poor' and persist for up to six days.

Regulatory Response and Safety Measures

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has a clear protocol for this season. The DGCA has designated December 10 to February 10 as the official “fog window.”

Mandatory Rostering: Airlines must roster pilots trained for low-visibility procedures.
Aircraft Compliance: They must deploy CAT-IIIB compliant aircraft for operations.
Airport Infrastructure: All four runways at Delhi IGI Airport are CAT-III compliant.

Category III is an advanced navigation system. It allows aircraft to land in poor visibility conditions. CAT-III-B permits landings with a Runway Visual Range (RVR) of less than 50 meters. This technology is crucial for maintaining safety and operational continuity. However, delays still occur due to aircraft and crew limitations across the network. This highlights the complexity of managing winter flight delays in dense fog.

Stakeholder Concerns

The ongoing conditions pose a significant challenge to aviation stakeholders. Airlines face increased costs from delays, diversions, and cancellations. Passengers experience major travel inconvenience and uncertainty. Airport authorities must manage a high volume of delayed flights and frustrated travelers. The persistent Air Quality Index issues also raise long-term environmental concerns for the sector. For more updates on this situation and other commercial aviation news, visit https://flying.flights.