Why IndiGo Grounded Dozens of Flights Amid India's Winter Fog Crisis

December 25, 2025 at 04:40 PM•2 min read

IndiGo cancelled 67 flights across India on Thursday and Friday due to widespread winter fog and poor visibility, impacting several major airports.

Key Points

1IndiGo cancelled 67 flights on Thursday, with 62 attributed to widespread fog and poor visibility across India.
2The cancellations occurred during the official DGCA fog window, which runs from December 10, 2025, to February 10, 2026.
3The airline is already operating a 10% curtailed domestic schedule under DGCA monitoring following earlier mass cancellations.
4Low visibility procedures (CAT-IIIB) require specialized crew and aircraft to ensure safety during the winter fog season.

India's largest carrier, IndiGo, cancelled 67 flights on Thursday morning. The airline cited widespread winter fog cripples operations and poor visibility for the disruptions. This action adds to the recent India airport disruptions during the winter season. Further cancellations were also reported for flights scheduled on Friday.

Affected Airports and Operational Impact

The IndiGo flight cancellations impacted several major airports. These included the Chandigarh International Airport (IXC) and Varanasi (VNS). Operations were also affected at Bengaluru (BLR) and Dehradun (DED). The majority of the 67 grounded flights were due to forecasted bad weather. Only a small number were attributed to internal operational reasons.

Regulatory Scrutiny and Fog Norms

This disruption occurs during the official DGCA fog window season. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) declared this period. It runs from December 10, 2025, to February 10, 2026.

Under DGCA norms, airlines must follow strict low visibility procedures. This requires pilots trained for CAT-IIIB operations. It also mandates using CAT-IIIB-compliant aircraft. CAT-IIIB allows landings when Runway Visual Range (RVR) is below 50 meters. The Civil Aviation Minister earlier reviewed preparedness with stakeholders. These stakeholders included the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and airlines.

Broader Industry Context

The airline's operations remain under DGCA monitoring. IndiGo is currently operating a reduced winter schedule. This followed mass cancellations earlier in December. Those previous disruptions were linked to new pilot duty and rest requirements.

Poor visibility flight operations continue to challenge the sector. Passengers face significant delays and cancellations. The recurring disruptions contribute to an ongoing aviation crisis in the country. The safety protocols, while necessary, slow down aircraft movement. This results in longer take-off and landing intervals.

Key Takeaways for Travelers:
- Always check the latest flight status before leaving home.
- Allow for extra travel time to the airport.
- Contact the airline directly for rebooking or refund options.

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