Dense Fog Grounds IndiGo Flights: 9 Cancellations Hit Chandigarh and Varanasi
Key Points
- 1IndiGo cancelled nine flights on December 26, 2025, from Chandigarh and Varanasi due to forecasted bad weather and low visibility conditions.
- 2The cancellations occur during the DGCA's official winter fog window, which runs from December 10 to February 10, necessitating CAT-IIIB compliance.
- 3The airline is currently operating a 10% curtailed domestic schedule under DGCA monitoring following earlier large-scale operational disruptions.
- 4IndiGo issued a travel advisory for fog-prone airports including Guwahati, Gaya, and Patna, urging passengers to check their flight status online.
India’s largest carrier, IndiGo, cancelled nine flights on Friday. The airline cited forecasted bad weather at two major airports. Services to and from Chandigarh (IXC) and Varanasi (VNS) were impacted. This disruption comes as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) monitors the winter fog period.
Operational Disruptions and Advisory
The cancellations on December 26, 2025, follow a trend of weather-related issues. On the previous day, IndiGo cancelled a total of 67 flights across multiple airports. The vast majority of these were also due to anticipated adverse weather conditions.
IndiGo issued a fresh travel advisory for passengers. The airline noted persistent fog over Guwahati was causing slower flight movements. Departures and arrivals from Guwahati, and other network routes, may face short delays.
Separately, the airline appealed to travelers flying to fog-prone airports in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. These airports include Gaya, Gorakhpur, Patna, Darbhanga, and Varanasi. Passengers must check the latest flight status on the IndiGo website or app before leaving for the airport.
Impacted Routes on December 26, 2025
The nine cancellations primarily affect services connecting major metropolitan hubs. The cancellations link cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Hyderabad. The airline listed the following services as cancelled due to forecasted bad weather at the respective airports:
-
Varanasi (VNS) Cancellations:
- 6E 714: Bengaluru (BLR) – Varanasi (VNS)
- 6E 6044: Varanasi (VNS) – Chennai (MAA)
- 6E 499: Varanasi (VNS) – Bengaluru (BLR)
- 6E 401: Chennai (MAA) – Varanasi (VNS)
-
Chandigarh (IXC) Cancellations:
- 6E 146: Chandigarh (IXC) – Lucknow (LKO)
- 6E 5261: Chandigarh (IXC) – Mumbai (BOM)
- 6E 867: Chandigarh (IXC) – Hyderabad (HYD)
- 6E 242: Pune (PNQ) – Chandigarh (IXC)
- 6E 627: Chandigarh (IXC) – Kolkata (CCU)
Regulatory Scrutiny and Fog Preparedness
The current disruptions coincide with the DGCA’s official winter fog window. This period runs from December 10 to February 10. The aviation regulator requires strict adherence to low-visibility procedures (LVP). This includes the mandatory use of CAT-IIIB compliant aircraft and suitably qualified flight crew. Category-III B systems allow landings when Runway Visual Range (RVR) is below 50 meters.
Earlier this month, the Union Civil Aviation Minister reviewed preparedness for the fog period. He directed stakeholders to implement strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The minister also stressed real-time data sharing and activating emergency control rooms, or 'War Rooms'.
IndiGo’s operations remain under close DGCA monitoring. This follows widespread disruptions earlier in December. The government also mandated a 10% reduction in the airline's domestic schedule. This reduced the daily domestic flights to approximately 1,930. The carrier, which operates a large fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft, is working to stabilize its schedule. This is crucial for maintaining passenger trust and operational safety during this challenging season. For more on commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.
Topics
You Might Also Like
Discover more aviation news based on similar topics
Winter Fog Chaos: Why IndiGo Cancelled Flights Across India on December 26
IndiGo cancelled multiple domestic flights on December 26 due to persistent winter fog and poor visibility aviation operations impacting major airports nationwide.
Why IndiGo Canceled 67 Flights Amid DGCA Scrutiny and Winter Fog Season
IndiGo canceled 67 flights across India on Thursday, primarily due to forecasted bad weather and ongoing operational issues under DGCA monitoring, affecting passenger travel.
Why IndiGo Grounded Dozens of Flights Amid India's Winter Fog Crisis
IndiGo cancelled 67 flights across India on Thursday and Friday due to widespread winter fog and poor visibility, impacting several major airports.
IndiGo Cancels 67 Flights Amid Fog and Curtailed Schedule, Facing DGCA Scrutiny
IndiGo canceled 67 flights, mostly due to forecasted bad weather, while operating under a DGCA-mandated curtailed schedule following earlier operational
IndiGo Cancels 67 Flights as Winter Fog and DGCA Scrutiny Intensify
IndiGo cancelled 67 flights due to forecasted winter fog and operational issues, intensifying DGCA regulatory scrutiny following a government-mandated 10% cut to its domestic schedule.
Confidential Report Submitted to DGCA: What's Next for IndiGo After Flight Chaos?
India's aviation watchdog, the DGCA, received a confidential inquiry report into the IndiGo operational chaos, which saw over 5,000 flight cancellations due to FDTL rule implementation
Never Miss Critical Aviation Updates
Get the top aviation stories delivered to your inbox every morning