Delhi: Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were severely disrupted on Friday as dense fog and smog blanketed the national capital, forcing the cancellation of 152 flights, including two international services. This followed the cancellation of 27 flights on Thursday due to poor visibility.
Airport officials said most remaining flights were delayed through the morning hours, with several aircraft held on the runway for extended periods as visibility dropped sharply. The situation added to passenger congestion inside terminals, particularly during early morning peak hours.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation warned that airport operations across North India could continue to be affected as dense smog persists in the region. Passengers were advised to stay in touch with airlines, monitor official updates, and allow additional time for travel. Passenger facilitation teams were deployed at airports to assist stranded travellers.
Due to prevailing fog conditions in parts of Northern India, airport operations may be impacted.
Passengers are requested to remain in contact with their airlines, check official platforms for updates, and allow extra time for travel. Passenger facilitation teams are available…
— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) December 19, 2025
Earlier, the Airports Authority of India issued a weather advisory cautioning that persistent fog across northern India was leading to low visibility and possible delays at multiple airports. Travellers were advised to check their flight status before leaving for the airport and plan their journeys well in advance.
Major carrier IndiGo also released a travel advisory, noting that fog across Delhi and parts of northern and eastern India was impacting schedules. The airline said affected passengers would receive timely updates and could opt for alternate flights or refunds where applicable. IndiGo added that teams were closely monitoring conditions and working to restore normal operations as visibility improves.
Weather Advisory:
Dense Fog condition in Northern IndiaPersistent fog is affecting several airports across Northern India, resulting in low visibility and possible flight delays.
Passenger are advised to confirm your flight status with your airline before heading to the… pic.twitter.com/NiODPbCV8V
— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) December 18, 2025
Delhi airport authorities confirmed that flight operations were being conducted under CAT III conditions due to extremely low visibility. CAT III landings allow aircraft to operate in near-zero visibility but require specialised equipment and a trained crew.
The disruption comes amid worsening environmental conditions in the capital. Delhi recorded a very poor air quality level on Friday morning, with the Air Quality Index touching 387, according to official pollution data.
Travel Advisory#Delhi and several parts of northern/eastern India are currently experiencing reduced visibility due to fog, impacting flight schedules.
Customers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport https://t.co/IEBbuCsa3e and allow extra…
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) December 19, 2025
Dense fog and hazardous air quality are expected to continue affecting travel during the early morning hours.
