Dense Fog Disrupts Flight Operations Across North India Airports, Including Delhi

‘Severely Affecting Visibility’: Dense Fog Hits Flight Operations at North India Airports, Over 300 Flights Impacted in Delhi

Flight operations across several North India airports were disrupted on Monday morning as dense fog and smog significantly reduced visibility. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport was among the worst affected, with over 300 flights impacted due to adverse weather conditions. According to airport authorities, at least 40 flights were cancelled and four were diverted as airlines adjusted schedules to prioritise passenger safety. Several other flights faced delays, causing inconvenience to travellers during early morning hours.

Delhi Airport Sees Major Disruptions Due to Low Visibility

Dense fog blanketed the National Capital Region, bringing down visibility to critically low levels around Delhi Airport. Officials confirmed that flight movements continued cautiously but under strict safety protocols. The Ministry of Civil Aviation issued a public advisory warning passengers about severe visibility issues across northern India airports, including Delhi. The advisory urged travellers to check flight status before leaving for the airport, allow extra travel time, and cooperate with airline staff as operations were adjusted to manage weather-related challenges.

Airlines Issue Advisories Amid Fog Conditions

IndiGo Cancels Over 100 Flights Linked to Delhi

IndiGo Airlines cancelled 109 flights across routes connected to Delhi, affecting services to and from cities such as Varanasi, Srinagar, Amritsar, Patna, Indore, Jaipur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Jammu, Leh, Pune, and several regional destinations. The airline said Delhi experienced its first major spell of winter fog, with visibility dropping sharply in the early hours of the day. IndiGo warned that additional delays or cancellations could occur as operations were recalibrated in response to changing weather conditions.

Read more: Heavy Smog Blankets Delhi as Air Quality Slips Towards ‘Severe’, Airport Issues Advisory

Air India Urges Passengers to Check Flight Status

Air India also issued a travel advisory, stating that dense fog and poor visibility were impacting flight operations not just in Delhi but across other parts of northern India. The national carrier urged passengers to verify flight details before heading to the airport to avoid inconvenience. Both airlines reiterated that safety remained their top priority and that ground and flight operations teams were continuously monitoring the situation.

CAT-III Operations Implemented at IGI Airport

Due to extremely low visibility, authorities at Delhi’s IGI Airport implemented CAT-III operations, which allow aircraft to land and take off in poor visibility conditions. While CAT-III systems enable continued operations, officials cautioned that delays and disruptions were still likely. Airport authorities confirmed they were coordinating closely with airlines and air traffic control to manage traffic efficiently and reduce passenger inconvenience.

Smog and Fog Blanket the National Capital

A thick layer of smog combined with dense fog covered large parts of Delhi on Monday morning, worsening visibility conditions across the city. Visuals from areas such as the Barapullah flyover showed hazy roads, forcing vehicles to move slowly. Authorities issued an orange alert for dense fog, warning commuters to remain cautious. The poor conditions affected both air and road travel, especially during peak morning hours.

read more: Multiple Vehicles Collide On Noida Expressway Amid Dense Fog, Several Injured

Air Quality Remains in the Severe Category

Air quality in Delhi continued to deteriorate, with the Air Quality Index recorded at 433, placing it in the ‘severe’ category as per the Central Pollution Control Board. Officials warned that such levels pose serious health risks, particularly for children, senior citizens, and people with respiratory conditions. The heavy smog further reduced visibility and contributed to widespread travel disruptions across the capital.

Visibility Drops Sharply Across Delhi and Neighbouring Regions

Extremely Low Visibility Recorded at Multiple Locations

Visibility levels dropped drastically in the early morning hours. At around 5:30 am, visibility at Palam airport fell to just 50 metres, down from around 100 metres earlier in the morning. Westerly winds were reported at speeds of 5 to 7 kmph, worsening fog conditions. Safdarjung also recorded visibility of 50 metres, while parts of west Uttar Pradesh, including Hindon, reported zero visibility, highlighting the widespread impact of dense fog across North India airports.

Authorities Advise Caution as Conditions Persist

Officials have advised travellers to remain alert, follow airline updates, and avoid unnecessary travel during early hours until conditions improve. With dense fog hitting flight operations and air quality remaining severe, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while urging public cooperation.

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