Flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) faced significant disruption on Tuesday morning as a thick blanket of dense fog severely reduced visibility across the national capital. The adverse weather conditions prompted airport authorities to issue multiple passenger advisories in the early hours, impacting numerous flight schedules.
Flight Cancellations and Operational Challenges
Due to the persistent low visibility, a total of six inbound flights and four outbound flights were cancelled at the Delhi airport for the day. The airport officially stated that operations were being conducted under CAT III conditions, a protocol that permits aircraft with specific advanced navigation systems to land in very poor visibility. However, even with this capability, delays and cancellations are common due to stringent safety procedures, mandatory aircraft separation norms, and limitations in ground handling during such episodes.
The impact was notably felt by IndiGo, one of India's largest carriers. The airline confirmed the cancellation of at least 11 of its flights since morning. In statements posted on social media platform X, IndiGo highlighted that several northern cities, including Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Pantnagar, Varanasi, Ranchi, Patna, Hindon, and Jammu, were also enveloped in fog, leading to slower flight movements and potential short delays across its network.
Airline and Airport Response to the Crisis
In its travel advisory, Delhi Airport urged passengers to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight information, assuring that ground teams were actively assisting travelers to ensure smoother journeys. IndiGo echoed this, stating its teams were prioritizing safety and compliance with all visibility requirements while being available to assist passengers at the terminal.
The disruption is substantial for IGIA, operated by Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which typically handles approximately 1,300 flight movements every day. The recurring fog over the past several days has repeatedly thrown a spanner in the works for early-morning travel and transportation services in and around Delhi.
Weather Forecast and Broader Regional Impact
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) provided context to the situation, noting that while minimum temperatures in north India remained slightly above normal on Monday, dense to very dense fog was forecast to persist across northern states until December 27. On Monday, fog had briefly reduced visibility in Delhi and affected parts of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
Looking ahead, the IMD predicted that on Christmas Day, December 25, Delhi would experience mainly clear skies with shallow fog in the morning, and temperatures are expected to be near normal. Meanwhile, states like Punjab and Haryana continued to grapple with cold conditions, despite temperatures being a few degrees above seasonal averages in some areas.
The ongoing weather pattern underscores the annual winter challenge for aviation and travel in northern India, with passengers advised to stay updated with real-time information from their airlines during this period.
