Delhi Wrapped In Dense Fog As Flights Face Delays, Cancellations And Winter Worsens

Delhi woke up to another winter morning wrapped in a thick, stubborn blanket of fog—and with it came yet another round of travel disruptions that reminded flyers just how unforgiving north India’s winter skies can be. As visibility dropped across the capital and neighbouring regions, flight schedules at Delhi’s airport took a hit, with airlines pre-emptively cancelling and delaying services to manage the ripple effects of the weather.

The India Meteorological Department’s orange alert for dense fog set the tone for the day, forecasting moderate fog in many areas and dense to very dense fog in pockets during the early morning hours. Add plunging temperatures and persistently poor air quality to the mix, and Delhi-NCR found itself firmly in the grip of a classic cold-wave spell—one that has left both commuters and travellers recalibrating plans.

Flights In Flux

Air travel bore the brunt of the fog’s impact. Several early-morning departures and arrivals at Delhi airport were cancelled or delayed as low visibility conditions disrupted operations. Airlines such as IndiGo and Air India moved swiftly, cancelling select flights in advance to prevent prolonged waiting times at terminals and to ease congestion during peak fog hours. The aim was damage control—minimising uncertainty for passengers while keeping safety firmly front and centre.

Delhi airport confirmed that flight operations were being conducted under CAT III protocols, which allow aircraft to land in extremely low visibility but often slow down overall traffic flow. This inevitably led to cascading delays through the day, with knock-on effects across domestic and international routes. Airlines also cautioned passengers that fog in other northern cities could further complicate schedules as aircraft rotations were affected.

Travellers were advised to check flight status before leaving for the airport and to factor in additional travel time, as fog also slowed road traffic leading to terminals. Ground staff remained deployed across touchpoints to assist stranded passengers, while digital channels were kept active to share updates in real time.

Weather Turns Harsh

The fog came hand in hand with biting cold. According to the IMD, minimum temperatures across Delhi hovered between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius, while maximum temperatures struggled to climb beyond 16 to 18 degrees. Earlier this week, the city recorded its lowest daytime temperature for December since 2019, underscoring just how sharp this winter spell has been.

Neighbouring areas such as Gurugram and Noida experienced similar conditions, with dense fog lingering well into the morning. The weather office has warned that temperatures are likely to dip further over the coming days, with cold wave conditions expected at isolated places between January 2 and January 5. Night-time and early-morning fog is also forecast to persist, keeping visibility poor and travel conditions challenging.

Light drizzle and cloudy skies are on the cards as well, which could further dampen daytime warmth and extend cold-day conditions across the region.

Air Quality Worries

Compounding the discomfort is Delhi’s air quality, which slipped firmly into the ‘very poor’ category. On Friday morning, the city’s Air Quality Index crossed the 300 mark, with pollutants lingering close to the ground due to low wind speeds and falling temperatures. The combination of fog and smog significantly reduced visibility, affecting not just flights but road and rail movement too.

Weather experts have warned that unfavourable dispersion conditions are likely to persist over the next few days, potentially worsening air quality. As temperatures drop and winds remain sluggish, pollutants are expected to remain trapped near the surface—an unwelcome side effect of the winter chill.

For travellers passing through Delhi, the message is clear: winter plans need flexibility. Fog-induced delays are likely to remain a reality in the days ahead, and checking updates before stepping out could save both time and frayed nerves. Delhi’s winter may look poetic from afar, but up close, it’s a season that demands patience—especially at the airport.

(With inputs from various sources.)

FAQs

1. Why are flights being cancelled or delayed in Delhi?
Dense to very dense fog has reduced visibility at the airport, disrupting take-offs and landings, especially during early morning hours.

2. Which airlines are affected by the fog conditions?
Major airlines including IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet have reported delays and cancellations on select routes due to poor visibility.

3. Has the IMD issued any weather alert for Delhi?
Yes, the IMD has issued an orange alert for dense fog, along with warnings of cold wave conditions in the coming days.

4. What should passengers do before heading to the airport?
Travellers are advised to check their flight status in advance and allow extra travel time as fog may also slow road traffic.

5. How long are fog-related disruptions likely to continue?
The IMD has forecast dense fog and cold conditions over the next few days, which could continue to impact flight operations.