Why Dense Smog Is Grounding IndiGo and Air India Flights in Delhi.

December 29, 2025 at 02:42 PM•2 min read

IndiGo and Air India issued travel advisories for Delhi and northern India airports as dense smog caused poor visibility and widespread flight disruptions.

Key Points

1128 flights were cancelled at Delhi's IGI Airport due to dense fog and poor visibility on Monday.
2Visibility dropped to as low as 50 meters, forcing the activation of CAT-III low visibility procedures.
3IndiGo and Air India issued travel advisories, warning of cascading delays across northern and eastern India.
4The DGCA has designated December 10 to February 10 as the official annual fog season window.

Dense smog and foggy conditions National Capital caused major disruptions on Monday morning. Air travel across northern India was severely affected. The poor visibility northern India led to numerous delays and cancellations. Major carriers like IndiGo and Air India issued urgent advisories.

Operational Impact at Delhi Airport

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport saw significant Delhi flight disruptions. Visibility dropped sharply, in some reports to just 50 meters. This necessitated the activation of specialized low visibility procedures.

At least 128 flights were cancelled at IGI Airport on Monday. This total included 64 arrivals and 64 departures. Additionally, eight flights were diverted, with over 30 services delayed. The airport implemented Category-III (CAT-III) procedures. These measures allow equipped aircraft to land safely. However, they significantly slow down the overall pace of airport operations.

Airline Response and Travel Advisories

Both major airlines responded quickly to the weather crisis. [Air India] cautioned that dense smog impacts could create consequential flight delays. The airline's advisory covered its Air India flight schedules to many northern and eastern cities. These included Amritsar (ATQ), Varanasi (VNS), and Patna (PAT). Air India also highlighted its 'FogCare' program. This initiative helps passengers manage changes during the fog window.

IndiGo, the country's largest airline, issued an IndiGo travel advisory. The carrier confirmed that low visibility was slowing flight movements. Earlier reports indicated IndiGo cancelled approximately 80 flights across its network. Passengers were strongly advised to check their flight status. Delays were expected to extend well into the afternoon hours.

Regulatory Context and Outlook

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulates all flight operations. The [DGCA] (https://www.dgca.gov.in) has officially declared a fog window. This period typically runs from December 10 to February 10. This acknowledges the recurring challenge of winter fog. Airlines must plan their bad weather operations accordingly. The current commercial aviation news highlights the strain on infrastructure. The Ministry of Civil Aviation also issued a general advisory. They urged passengers to allow extra time for airport check-in. The poor air quality index (AQI) in the region is also a factor. This exacerbates the low visibility conditions. Operations are expected to remain challenging as long as the dense fog persists. For more updates on this and other aviation news, visit https://flying.flights.