Air travel hit by dense fog in North India, Delhi worst affected: 100+ flights cancelled, passengers asked to check status

Dense fog continued to disrupt normal life across several north Indian states on Tuesday, with Delhi waking up under a thick blanket of fog that sharply reduced visibility and affected both air traffic and road movement. Also, as per the forecasts of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), overcast skies and smoggy conditions will likely continue throughout the day.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport issued a fog advisory early on December 16, warning passengers of possible delays and disruptions. In a post on X, the airport said that flight operations were steadily recovering, though some arrivals and departures could still be impacted due to lingering weather conditions.

Passengers were advised to check their flight status with airlines before leaving for the airport. Airport authorities also said that additional ground staff had been deployed across terminals to assist travellers amid the disruptions.




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Hundreds of flights cancelled across North India

The impact of dense fog was most severe on Monday, when low visibility across the National Capital Region (NCR) led to large-scale cancellations and delays.

According to aviation industry executives, a number of flights were cancelled across northern India, while hundreds more were delayed. At Delhi airport alone, at least 228 flights were cancelled, including 131 departures and 97 arrivals, as per the ANI reports. The airport typically handles more than 1000 flights daily. In addition, at least five flights were diverted to nearby airports as visibility deteriorated.

Airlines issue travel advisories

Several airlines issued advisories cautioning passengers about continued disruption due to foggy conditions.

Air India said dense fog over Delhi and parts of northern India caused air traffic congestion and parking bay constraints at Delhi airport, forcing delays and cancellations that had a cascading impact on its network. The airline said its teams were assisting affected passengers with rebookings or full refunds in case of cancellations. In view of IMD’s forecast of continued fog and poor visibility, Air India also said it had proactively cancelled select flights and activated its Fog Care programme, under which passengers are being informed in advance and offered complimentary rescheduling or refunds without penalty.

Read More: Indigo Flight Status December 16: Several flights cancelled amid dense fog; airlines issues early morning travel advisory

IndiGo, meanwhile, said winter fog during early mornings can occasionally slow down flight movements across northern India. The airline advised passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport, adding that its teams were closely monitoring weather conditions and making operational adjustments to minimise inconvenience.

With foggy conditions expected to continue, travellers have been urged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and stay updated on flight schedules as weather-related disruptions persist.