Dense fog severely disrupted flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on the morning of Monday, December 29, 2025, leading to widespread travel chaos. The airport authorities confirmed a significant number of cancellations and diversions as visibility plummeted across the national capital and northern regions of India.
Massive Operational Disruption
Airport sources reported that a total of 128 flights were cancelled, evenly split with 64 arrivals and 64 departures affected. In addition, eight flights had to be diverted to alternate airports due to the hazardous landing conditions. The country's busiest aviation hub was thrown into disarray as the thick fog blanket refused to lift, impacting schedules throughout the day.
CAT III Conditions and Passenger Advisories
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the airport operator, issued a passenger advisory stating that operations were being conducted under Category III (CAT III) conditions. While this allows specially equipped aircraft with trained crews to land in very low visibility, it drastically reduces the rate of flight movements. "Due to persistent dense fog, flight operations continue to remain under CAT III conditions, which may result in flight delays," DIAL stated, adding that teams were coordinating with all stakeholders to minimise passenger inconvenience.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation also put out a warning, indicating that flight operations at several airports in Northern India could be affected, leading to possible delays. Airlines proactively communicated with passengers. Budget carrier IndiGo, in a post on social media platform X, advised travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to allocate extra time for their journey, as road traffic was also likely to be hampered by the fog.
A Recurring Winter Woe
This incident is not isolated. Over the preceding weeks, the northern Indian plains have experienced multiple days of poor visibility, consistently disrupting air travel, especially during the early morning hours. The fog-induced slowdowns, delays, and cancellations have become an annual challenge for airlines, airports, and passengers alike during the winter season.
The airline's statement highlighted the ongoing struggle: "Fog continues to persist across Delhi and several airports in northern India. Visibility remains reduced and, as a result, flight movements are presently slower than normal, with some delays being experienced." They assured that operations were being managed as efficiently as possible under the challenging circumstances.
