IndiGo Grounds 57 Flights: Why Bad Weather Triggers DGCA Fog Window Rules

December 28, 2025 at 05:17 AM•2 min read

IndiGo cancelled 57 flights across its network due to "bad weather," primarily dense fog, prompting adherence to DGCA's winter fog window operational norms.

Key Points

157 IndiGo flights were cancelled on Saturday, December 27, due to dense fog and 'bad weather' across the network.
2The cancellations impacted key routes to and from major Indian airports including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
3The DGCA has designated December 10 to February 10 as the official winter 'fog window,' mandating CAT-IIIB procedures for low-visibility operations.
4The disruption follows earlier capacity cuts for IndiGo due to stricter pilot duty period norms, compounding operational challenges.

Domestic carrier IndiGo cancelled 57 flights across its network on Saturday. The airline cited bad weather at various airports as the reason. This massive disruption impacted thousands of travelers. An additional 13 flights were cancelled for Sunday. Two of these were for "operational reasons." The remaining cancellations were due to forecasted bad weather.

Widespread Disruptions

The IndiGo flight cancellations were widespread. They affected major hubs and regional airports. Cities impacted included Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Other key routes involved Chandigarh, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The primary cause is the dense winter fog. This fog significantly reduces visibility across North India.

This event highlights the challenge of Indian aviation weather disruptions. Other carriers like Air India also issued travel advisories. The advisories warned of potential delays and cancellations. This points to a systemic issue during the winter season.

Regulatory Context and Safety

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the aviation regulator. They declared December 10 to February 10 as the official DGCA fog window guidelines. This period requires airlines to follow strict protocols. Safety must take precedence over schedule adherence.

Low-Visibility Operations

During this window, airlines must ensure readiness. They must deploy CAT-IIIB compliant aircraft. Pilots must also be trained for low-visibility operations. Category-III systems allow aircraft to land in dense fog. CAT-III B permits operations with very low runway visual range.

IndiGo is already operating a curtailed schedule. This followed earlier cancellations due to stricter pilot duty period norms. The weather disruptions add further strain. This impacts the airline's overall operational capacity.

Passenger Rights and Industry Impact

Passengers affected by the cancellations have specific rights. DGCA mandates airlines to follow Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR). These rules cover denied boarding and cancellations. Airlines must offer alternate flights or full refunds. The DGCA also advised airlines to cancel flights anticipated to be delayed beyond three hours. This is done to mitigate passenger inconvenience at the airport. The ongoing fog season requires passengers to check their flight status. This is crucial before heading to the airport. For more commercial aviation news, visit https://flying.flights.