Delhi Airport News: Dense Fog Disrupts Morning Air Travel at Delhi Airport, Hundreds of Flights Impacted
Delhi Airport News: Early Monday morning brought major disruptions to air travel in the national capital as dense fog engulfed the Delhi-NCR region, leading to zero visibility conditions. The weather situation severely affected operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs in the country. As visibility dropped sharply, several flights were either cancelled or delayed, causing inconvenience to hundreds of passengers.
According to live aviation tracking data accessed around 8:45 am, six scheduled flights were cancelled, while close to 200 flights were impacted by delays. This included nearly 144 departing flights and 51 arriving flights, reflecting the scale of disruption caused by the foggy conditions.
Impact of Low Visibility on Flight Operations
The dense fog led airport authorities to shift operations to CAT III procedures, which are used during extremely low visibility. While these advanced landing systems allow aircraft to land safely even when visibility is minimal, they often result in slower operations. Reduced runway movement, longer turnaround times, and spacing between aircraft contributed to the delays seen throughout the morning.
Airport officials advised passengers to stay informed and remain patient, as ground staff continued assisting travelers amid challenging weather conditions. Passengers were encouraged to stay in touch with their respective airlines for real-time updates regarding departures and arrivals.
Advisory Issued by Delhi Airport Authorities
Delhi airport officials shared an advisory through social media, explaining that flight operations were ongoing under CAT III conditions due to dense fog. They cautioned that delays and cancellations were possible and assured travelers that ground teams were fully deployed to manage passenger movement and provide assistance. The advisory emphasized the importance of checking flight status before traveling to the airport to avoid unnecessary inconvenience.
Airlines Alert Passengers About Possible Delays
Major domestic airlines also issued their own advisories in response to the weather situation. IndiGo informed passengers that operations at both Delhi and Hindon airports might be slower than usual. The airline reassured travelers that once weather conditions improved, flight schedules would gradually return to normal.
Similarly, Air India released an advisory a day earlier, urging passengers scheduled to fly on Monday to verify their flight status in advance and allocate extra travel time. The airline’s message highlighted the possibility of disruptions due to the anticipated fog.
SpiceJet also cautioned its passengers about potential impacts on arrivals and departures. The airline echoed the general advice of checking flight updates before heading to the airport, given the unpredictable nature of weather-related disruptions.
Cold Wave and Fog Affect Large Parts of North India
The aviation disruption is part of a broader weather pattern affecting North India. Due to an active western disturbance, a cold wave combined with dense fog has gripped several northern states. The India Meteorological Department has forecast that cold conditions are likely to persist until December 31. While daytime temperatures may begin to rise slightly with the onset of the new year, mornings are expected to remain foggy for the next few days.
Air Pollution Adds to Delhi’s Weather Woes
Alongside the cold and fog, air pollution levels in Delhi worsened significantly on Monday morning. Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board showed that the air quality index in the capital touched 402 at 7 am, placing it in the severe category. High pollution levels combined with fog often lead to reduced visibility, further complicating transportation and daily activities.
What Passengers Should Keep in Mind
Travelers planning to fly from or to Delhi over the next few days are advised to stay alert and proactive. Checking flight status frequently, allowing additional travel time, and following airline advisories can help reduce stress during weather-related disruptions. As winter conditions continue to dominate North India, similar challenges may arise until visibility and temperatures improve.