Severe Fog Disrupts Air Travel Across India: Passengers Left Stranded

Impact of Dense Fog on Flight Operations

New Delhi: Flight services across various regions in India faced significant disruptions due to dense fog, which severely limited visibility and left many passengers stranded at airports.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has designated the period from December 10 to February 10, 2026, as the official fog season for this year.

At the Delhi airport, visibility plummeted to approximately 125 meters, greatly affecting flight operations.

In a passenger advisory shared on X, the Delhi Airport informed that "flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which may lead to delays or cancellations."

Travelers were encouraged to check their flight status with their airlines for updates.

Numerous inbound flights to Delhi were redirected due to the poor visibility, air traffic congestion, and subsequent delays, causing further inconvenience for passengers.

Airlines also released advisories indicating potential cancellations and delays.

IndiGo updated on X, stating, "Dense fog in Jammu continues to affect visibility, impacting flights operating to and from Jammu. As conditions change, some services may face delays, and a few might be canceled based on operational feasibility."

SpiceJet provided its last update around midnight, notifying passengers of disruptions in Kolkata.

"Due to adverse weather (poor visibility) in Kolkata (CCU), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may be affected. Passengers are advised to monitor their flight status," the airline stated.

Air India also warned that routes across North India, including its main hub in Delhi, could be affected due to low visibility caused by dense fog.

The airline cautioned that this situation might have a ripple effect on flight schedules throughout its domestic network.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a broader alert, emphasizing potential disruptions and providing helpline numbers for passenger support.

In a statement, AAI mentioned, "Due to fog today, 29.12.2025, visibility levels in Northern India have decreased at select airports, potentially affecting flight schedules, including delays. Passengers are advised to stay connected with their respective airlines for the latest updates and to plan their travel accordingly, allowing extra time for airport arrival and check-in procedures."

"AAI has implemented passenger facilitation measures and deployed assistance teams at affected airports to support travelers on the ground. We are dedicated to ensuring passenger safety, convenience, and smooth airport operations during adverse weather conditions," it added.

In one incident, an Air India Express flight from Goa to Delhi was unable to land in the capital early Monday morning due to dense fog.

The aircraft also could not land in Jaipur because of similar conditions and was ultimately diverted to Ahmedabad, where it landed safely.

However, passengers expressed frustration at Ahmedabad airport over the extended diversion, delays, and lack of communication, as dense fog continued to disrupt air travel across northern and eastern India.