Dense Fog Disrupts Flight Operations Across India, Passengers Face Delays and Diversions

New Delhi, Dec 2025 : Flight operations across several parts of the country were severely disrupted on Sunday as dense fog sharply reduced visibility, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and distressed at multiple airports. Northern and eastern regions were among the worst affected, with cascading delays, diversions, and cancellations reported throughout the day.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already declared the period from December 10 to February 10, 2026, as the official fog window for the winter season, during which flight operations are frequently impacted by low visibility conditions. Despite preparedness measures, Sunday’s fog caused significant operational challenges for airlines and airport authorities.

At Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, visibility dropped to nearly 125 metres in the early hours, severely affecting take-offs and landings. The Delhi airport authority issued a passenger advisory on social media platform X, stating that flight operations were being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, a system that allows aircraft to land in extremely low visibility. However, the advisory warned that delays and cancellations were still possible.

Passengers were advised to check their flight status directly with airlines and plan their journeys accordingly. Despite these measures, several inbound flights to Delhi were diverted to other airports because of poor visibility, air traffic congestion, and accumulated delays, adding to the inconvenience of travellers.

Airlines also issued alerts cautioning passengers about disruptions. IndiGo said that dense fog in Jammu continued to affect visibility, impacting flights operating to and from the region. The airline warned that as weather conditions evolved, some flights could be delayed while others might be cancelled depending on operational feasibility and clearance.

SpiceJet, in its late-night update, highlighted disruptions at Kolkata airport due to poor visibility. The airline advised passengers to remain alert and regularly check their flight status, as both arrivals and departures, along with consequential flights, were likely to be affected.

Air India also issued a warning, stating that dense fog across North India, including at its primary hub in Delhi, could significantly impact flight schedules. The airline cautioned that delays in the north could have a cascading effect across its domestic network, affecting flights in other regions as well.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a broader advisory, noting that reduced visibility at select airports in northern India could lead to delays and operational disruptions. AAI urged passengers to stay in touch with airlines through official communication channels, allow extra time for airport arrival, and remain prepared for changes in flight schedules.

AAI further said it had activated passenger facilitation measures and deployed assistance teams at affected airports to support travellers on the ground, reiterating its commitment to passenger safety and smooth airport operations during adverse weather.

In one incident highlighting the severity of the situation, an Air India Express flight from Goa to Delhi was unable to land in the national capital early Monday morning due to dense fog. The aircraft also failed to land in Jaipur for similar reasons and was eventually diverted to Ahmedabad, where it landed safely.

However, passengers onboard the diverted flight expressed frustration over prolonged delays, lack of timely information, and uncertainty at Ahmedabad airport. Similar scenes of anger and distress were reported at other airports as dense fog continued to disrupt air travel across large parts of the country, underscoring the challenges of winter aviation operations in India.

Team Maverick