A thick blanket of dense fog has severely disrupted air travel across North India, leading to major airlines like IndiGo and Air India issuing warnings of widespread flight cancellations and delays. The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi, a major aviation hub, has been the worst hit, with visibility plunging to a mere 50 metres on Monday morning.
Airports Activate Emergency Fog Procedures
In response to the dangerously low visibility, the Delhi airport authority has activated CAT-III procedures for flight operations. This specialized instrument landing system allows suitably equipped aircraft and specially trained pilots to land in extremely poor visibility conditions. The official fog window for the season, as declared by the aviation regulator DGCA, is from 10 December 2025 to 10 February 2026.
However, the airport has cautioned passengers that despite CAT-III operations, the severe conditions are causing significant backlogs. "Do not head to the airport without confirming your flight status first," the airport advised in a statement, urging travellers to contact their airline directly via official apps, websites, or helplines.
Airlines Issue Nationwide Travel Advisories
The country's largest carrier, IndiGo, warned that early-morning fog is impacting visibility not just in Delhi, but also in Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jammu, Kolkata, Guwahati, Dehradun, and Hindon. The airline stated that while teams are monitoring weather conditions, some flights may face delays and a few may need to be cancelled based on operational feasibility.
Air India echoed similar concerns, highlighting that flight routes in North India, including its primary hub in Delhi, are likely to be severely affected. The airline warned of a cascading impact on its network-wide schedule across India. Both airlines have offered passengers flexible options, including complimentary rescheduling or full refunds without penalty through dedicated 'Fog Care' web pages.
Passenger Guidance and Helpline Numbers
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has activated passenger facilitation measures and deployed assistance teams at affected airports. They have advised all travellers to stay in touch with their airlines and plan for extra time for commutes, as road visibility is also critically poor.
Key airline helpline numbers for passengers are:
- IndiGo: 01244973838
- Air India: 011 6932 9333
- SpiceJet: +91 (0)124 4983410 & +91 (0)124 7101600
Passengers are strongly recommended to check their flight status online before starting their journey and to allow considerable extra time for travel to the airport due to the hazardous road conditions accompanying the aerial disruption.
