Dense Fog Threatens Air India Flights: Will Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Varanasi See Delays?

December 27, 2025 at 05:42 PM•2 min read

Air India issued a travel advisory for Sunday, December 28, 2025, warning passengers of potential flight disruptions due to dense fog at northern India airports like Chandigarh,

Key Points

1Air India issued a travel advisory for December 28, 2025, due to dense fog and reduced visibility.
2Flight operations are expected to be impacted at northern India airports, specifically Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Varanasi.
3The DGCA's official winter fog window runs from December 10 to February 10, requiring special low-visibility operations (LVO).
4Air India's 'Fog Care' initiative provides options for complimentary rescheduling or full refunds for affected passengers.

Tata Group-owned Air India has issued an official travel advisory. The warning is for passengers flying on Sunday, December 28, 2025. Dense fog travel advisory forecasts reduced visibility across northern India. This weather may significantly impact Air India flight operations.

Specific northern India airports are expected to see disruptions. These include cities like Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Varanasi. The airline stated that reduced visibility is forecast for tomorrow morning. This situation may cause unexpected delays, diversions, or cancellations. Aviation stakeholders closely monitor these conditions for safe travel.

Operational Impact and DGCA Mandates

Dense fog is a recurring challenge during the winter season. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) sets an official “fog window”. This period typically runs from December 10 to February 10. During this time, airlines must follow special DGCA low visibility operations norms.

These norms require aircraft and crew to be certified. Specifically, CAT III B certified aircraft are deployed. This system allows landings with a Runway Visual Range (RVR) as low as 50 meters. This advanced capability is essential for managing the reduced visibility forecast.

Air India's Proactive 'Fog Care' Initiative

Air India assured passengers of its proactive steps to minimize disruption. The airline has implemented its comprehensive Air India Fog Care program. This initiative covers crew readiness and aircraft preparedness. It also includes station readiness and optimized schedule planning.

Key features of the Fog Care program include:

Complimentary rescheduling of flights.
Option for a full refund without penalty.
Deployment of CAT III B trained cockpit crew.
Enhanced communication via SMS and email alerts.

Ground colleagues are available to assist passengers during disruptions. Other carriers, such as IndiGo, have also issued similar advisories. This reflects the widespread impact of the weather.

Passenger Advisory and Next Steps

Passengers flying on Sunday must check flight status before travel. Air India recommends using its official channels for the latest updates. Travelers should also allow extra time for the journey to the airport. This is due to potential delays caused by the fog situation. The airline expressed sincere regret for any inconvenience caused by the weather. For more information on commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.