Delhi Airport Flight Status: Severe Winter Fog Disrupts Delhi-NCR Travel Ahead of New Year

Delhi Airport Flight Status: Dense winter fog caused major disruptions across the Delhi-NCR region on Wednesday morning, significantly reducing visibility and impacting normal transportation services. The most severe impact was seen at Indira Gandhi International Airport, where flight operations were badly affected due to poor weather conditions. As fog levels intensified during early morning hours, air traffic movement slowed down, leading to widespread inconvenience for passengers.

Impact on Flight Operations at Delhi Airport

The thick fog resulted in the cancellation of 148 flights at Delhi airport, including 78 incoming and 70 outgoing flights. In addition to cancellations, more than 150 flights experienced delays, causing long waiting hours for travelers. Airport authorities confirmed that low visibility conditions forced aircraft operations to be conducted under CAT III protocols, which allow landings in extremely low visibility but often lead to slower operations and congestion on runways.

Passengers were advised to remain patient as ground staff and airline teams worked continuously to manage the situation and assist stranded travelers. Many passengers faced rescheduling issues, missed connections, and extended waiting times inside airport terminals.

Weather Alert Issued by Meteorological Department

In response to the ongoing weather conditions, the India Meteorological Department issued a fresh weather alert ahead of the New Year. According to the latest forecast, dense to very dense fog along with a severe cold wave is expected to persist during late-night and early-morning hours over large parts of northern and eastern India. Regions likely to remain affected include Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, East and West Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha.

The department urged residents to exercise caution while traveling, especially during early morning hours when visibility is at its lowest. Road users were also advised to use fog lights and avoid unnecessary travel during peak fog periods.

Air Quality Remains a Serious Concern

Alongside weather-related challenges, Delhi’s air quality continued to remain in the very poor category on the last day of the year. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed the Air Quality Index at 384 at around 8 am, while several monitoring stations across the city recorded levels exceeding 400. Such conditions pose serious health risks, particularly for children, elderly people, and those with respiratory issues.

Experts believe that calm winds and low temperatures are trapping pollutants near the surface, worsening pollution levels and further reducing visibility.

Airport Advisory for Passengers

Delhi airport authorities issued a detailed travel advisory warning passengers of potential delays and cancellations due to fog. Travelers were strongly encouraged to check real-time flight status with their respective airlines before leaving for the airport. Authorities also assured passengers that ground teams were deployed across terminals to provide assistance and manage crowd movement effectively.

The advisory emphasized that despite advanced landing systems, weather conditions may still cause operational delays, and passenger cooperation is essential during such situations.

Airlines Issue Passenger Guidelines

Major airlines operating from Delhi, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, released separate advisories to inform passengers about possible disruptions. IndiGo cautioned that both arrivals and departures could remain affected throughout the day due to low visibility at Delhi and other northern airports.

Air India stated that weather-related disruptions could have a cascading effect on its network. To reduce inconvenience, the airline proactively cancelled certain early morning flights and informed passengers in advance. The airline also assured continued support through airport staff in case of unexpected delays or cancellations.

Air India further highlighted its FogCare initiative, which allows eligible passengers to receive advance alerts, reschedule flights without extra charges, or opt for full refunds without penalties during fog-affected periods.

SpiceJet also warned that fog conditions might impact departures, arrivals, and connecting flights, advising passengers to regularly monitor their flight status.

Travel Advisory for the Coming Days

With foggy conditions likely to continue over the next few days, travelers are advised to plan their journeys carefully, keep buffer time, and stay updated through official airline communication channels. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as winter weather patterns remain unpredictable.