As dense fog blanketed Delhi, Airport and major airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, issued travel advisories, urging passengers to check flight status and prepare for slower operations.
BY PC Bureau
The airport activated CAT III low-visibility procedures, which allow suitably trained pilots and equipped aircraft to land and take off in extremely poor visibility. Despite this, flight operations slowed considerably, leading to widespread delays and several cancellations.
Delhi Airport issued multiple passenger advisories through the morning, saying:
“Flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog. This may lead to delays or cancellations. Our ground teams are on-site and actively assisting passengers to ensure a smooth travel experience. For the latest updates, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines. We regret the inconvenience caused.”
Delhiites be careful! Dense fog all around, especially from Noida #NCR #Fog #Delhi pic.twitter.com/wkOM6ns0U5
— Gargi Rawat (@GargiRawat) December 28, 2025
Airlines Issue Travel Advisories
Major airlines warned passengers of continued disruptions due to persistent fog across northern India.
IndiGo said fluctuating visibility at Delhi and Hindon airports had slowed operations and could lead to schedule changes. Emphasising safety as a priority, the airline urged passengers to regularly check flight status and thanked them for their patience as conditions were expected to improve later in the day.
Air India said it had taken proactive steps to minimise disruptions, including activating its FogCare initiative. Under the programme, passengers on select fog-affected flights receive advance alerts and can reschedule their journeys without additional charges or opt for full refunds.
Weather forecast for tomorrow morning indicates dense fog with low visibility in parts of northern India, including Delhi, which is likely to impact flight operations.
We have taken proactive steps to minimise disruptions (learn more at https://t.co/RJc1tVFxuD).…
— Air India (@airindia) December 28, 2025
SpiceJet also issued an advisory, cautioning that poor visibility in Delhi could impact departures, arrivals, and connecting flights, and advised travellers to monitor real-time updates.
While official figures for December 29 were not immediately available, disruptions were similar to recent days, with multiple delays and some diversions reported, including an Air India Express flight diverted to Ahmedabad.
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IMD Issues Orange Alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) maintained an orange alert for very dense fog in the national capital, warning of severely reduced visibility during the morning hours. Fog was also expected to affect large parts of northern India, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
Daytime temperatures were forecast to hover around 21–22°C, while night temperatures were expected to dip to 7–8°C. Cold day conditions and low visibility were likely to continue, affecting road, rail, and air travel.
Air Quality Remains Severe
Adding to the disruption, Delhi’s air quality remained in the severe to hazardous category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing 400 in several areas and touching 450–600 at some monitoring stations. The dense smog-fog mix trapped pollutants, worsening visibility and increasing health risks.
Authorities advised residents, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor exposure.
Winter fog episodes, common between mid-December and early February, have caused sustained travel disruptions across north India this month. Passengers are advised to allow extra travel time and closely monitor airline websites and mobile apps for updates.
