Dense fog chokes Delhi-NCR, delays around 400 flights, several cancelled at IGI airport

Visibility plummeted to zero in the Delhi-NCR region on Monday as a thick layer of fog covered the area, impacting train and flight operations in the early hours. Media reports indicated that around 400 flights were delayed and more than 50 were cancelled at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, as of noon. 

“Flight operations are still impacted due to dense fog. We encourage passengers to check with their respective airlines for updated flight information,” Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), said. The company issued an update later, saying runway visibility has improved, and flight operations are returning to normal; however few flight departures and arrivals may still be impacted.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation also suggested staying in touch with airlines for real-time flight updates. "Dense fog conditions continue to impact flight operations at several airports in Northern India. In view of the prevailing situation, certain flights may be delayed, diverted, or cancelled...passenger facilitation teams are on duty across airports to provide necessary assistance."

Airlines also informed via their respective handles on X about the possible delays and changes to flight schedules.

IndiGo, in a statement on X, said dense fog continues to affect visibility at Delhi and other airports across Northern India. “Prolonged low visibility during the morning hours has impacted air traffic movement, and as a result, some flights have been cancelled to ensure safe and compliant operations through the rest of the day.”

Air India also said that in the wake of the fog-impacted flight operations, the airline is closely monitoring conditions and will resume operations as soon as it is safe to do so. “In the interest of safety and to avoid prolonged uncertainty for our guests, some flights have been cancelled. We understand this may cause inconvenience, and our ground teams across airports are working around the clock to assist and support you.”

Akasa Air also put out a statement, saying that due to severe weather conditions in Northern India, certain flights across its network have been impacted. “We realise that this may inconvenience your travel plans and seek your patience and understanding. While this situation is completely beyond our control, please be assured that our teams are always available to assist you.”

SpiceJet also informed about all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights getting affected due to bad weather in Delhi, Varanasi and Ayodhya.

Delhi’s air quality has consistently remained high since Diwali, though it fell to the ‘severe plus’ mark on Monday, impacting operations across airlines and other transport modes. 

India Meteorological Department, in its latest release, said dense to very dense fog conditions are very likely to prevail during early hours/morning hours in isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on 16th and 17th.

IMD said there has been a fall of 2°C in minimum temperatures over Delhi during the past 24 hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi have been around 22 to 24°C and 10 to 11°C, respectively. “The minimum temperatures are normal (-1.5 to 1.5°C) at many places and above normal (1.6 to 3.0°C) at a few places over Delhi. The maximum temperatures were normal (-1.5 to 1.5°C) at most places over Delhi.” 

The weather department said the Safdarjung airport recorded the lowest visibility of zero meters in the early morning hours. “Palam airport recorded the lowest visibility 50m from 0600 Hrs IST to 0900 Hrs IST on 15.12.2025, which thereafter improved, becoming 400m at 1000 Hrs IST.”