Dense Fog, Toxic Air Cripple Delhi Airport: 128 Flights Cancelled, 200+ Delayed at IGI.

Over 128 Flights Cancelled and 200 Delayed as Visibility Drops Sharply at Delhi International Airport.

Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were thrown into major disarray on Monday, December 29, 2025, as a dense blanket of fog combined with “severe” air quality conditions crippled air traffic across the National Capital Region. As the day progressed, the scale of disruption widened significantly, far exceeding early morning estimates. According to the latest operational data, at least 128 flights—64 arrivals and 64 departures—have been cancelled, while over 200 flights are facing delays, affecting nearly 65 per cent of all scheduled departures from the airport.

Low visibility, which plunged to just 50 metres during early morning hours, forced authorities to implement CAT III low-visibility procedures, sharply reducing runway capacity and slowing aircraft movement. Compounding the chaos, at least eight flights were diverted to nearby airports such as Ahmedabad and Jaipur due to a combination of poor visibility and airspace congestion, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded or facing extended waiting times inside terminals.

The disruption has caused widespread inconvenience for passengers, airline crews, and airport operations, with ripple effects expected to continue throughout the day. Major airlines including Indigo, Air India, and Spice Jet issued urgent advisories, warning travellers of fluctuating visibility, slower turnaround times, and potential last-minute schedule changes.

Indigo activated its contingency “Plan B,” offering passengers flexible rebooking and refund options, while other carriers urged flyers to check real-time flight status before leaving home and to factor in road delays caused by fog. Airport operator Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) confirmed that although ground staff and air traffic controllers are working at full capacity, CAT III conditions significantly limit the number of take-offs and landings per hour.

The situation has been worsened by an orange alert issued by the IMD, forecasting very dense fog through the forenoon, alongside severe AQI levels exceeding 402, with some monitoring stations crossing 450, and temperatures hovering near 7°C—a combination that has intensified smog formation and prolonged visibility issues.