Delhi Flight Status Live: 128 Flights Cancelled, Over 200 Delayed as Dense Fog Disrupts Air Travel

Air travel in the national capital faced major disruptions on Monday as dense fog severely affected flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. According to airport sources, at least 128 flights were cancelled while over 200 flights were delayed, causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers. Around 65 per cent of departing flights were delayed during the early hours, with authorities warning that disruptions could continue through the day due to persistently low visibility.

Heavy Fog Impacts IGI Airport Operations

Dense fog blanketed Delhi overnight, reducing visibility levels and slowing aircraft movements. Despite advanced landing systems in place, the weather conditions created significant challenges for flight schedules. Airport officials confirmed that the fog led to congestion on runways and taxiways, affecting both arrivals and departures.

Flights Operated Under CAT III Conditions

Flight operations at IGI Airport were conducted under CAT III conditions, which allow aircraft to land and take off in extremely low visibility. While this system helps maintain basic operations during fog, delays and cancellations remained unavoidable due to safety protocols and air traffic congestion.

Diversions Add to Passenger Inconvenience

Fresh disruptions were reported due to flight diversions. An Air India Express flight from Goa was diverted to Ahmedabad after it could not land in Delhi or Jaipur. The aircraft had departed from Mopa Airport at 11.55 pm but was rerouted due to poor visibility and congestion caused by dense fog over the capital.

Delhi Airport Issues Passenger Advisory

Delhi airport authorities issued an advisory on social media, informing passengers about the situation. Officials stated that ground teams were deployed to assist travellers and manage queues. Passengers were advised to remain in touch with airlines for the latest updates, as delays and cancellations could continue.

IndiGo Warns of Slower Operations

IndiGo Airlines, in a morning advisory, said fluctuating visibility levels in Delhi were impacting flight schedules. The airline noted that operations at both Delhi and Hindon airports were likely to be slower than usual. IndiGo assured passengers that normal schedules would resume once weather conditions improved.

Air India and SpiceJet Issue Similar Alerts

Air India had earlier issued a warning on Sunday evening, advising passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport and to allow extra travel time. SpiceJet also urged travellers to plan accordingly, citing expected disruptions due to fog and reduced visibility.

IMD Issues Weather Alerts for Delhi

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Delhi on Monday and a yellow alert for Tuesday. The department attributed the dense to very dense fog conditions to a western disturbance that became active on December 27, affecting large parts of north India.

Fog Likely Across North India Till December 31

IMD forecasts suggest that foggy conditions are likely to persist during night and early morning hours across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and western Uttar Pradesh until December 31. These conditions are expected to continue affecting air travel across the region.

Temperature Outlook for the Capital

For Monday, Delhi is expected to record a maximum temperature of around 22 degrees Celsius and a minimum of about 7 degrees Celsius. Cold weather combined with foggy mornings is likely to persist over the next few days, increasing the chances of continued travel disruptions.

Conclusion

The dense fog episode has once again highlighted the challenges winter weather poses to air travel in north India. With flight cancellations, delays, and diversions affecting passengers, authorities and airlines are urging travellers to stay informed and plan ahead. As fog conditions are expected to continue, disruptions at Delhi airport may persist in the coming days.