Dense fog disrupts winter travel schedules at Indira Gandhi International Airport
Travelers at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport faced a chaotic Wednesday as a thick blanket of fog forced the cancellation of nearly 150 flights. Dense winter mist significantly reduced visibility across the National Capital Region, stalling both domestic and international travel.
Official reports indicate that 78 arrivals and 70 departures were cancelled throughout the day. The visibility issues were so severe that two flights destined for the capital had to be diverted to alternative cities. While airport authorities activated CAT III protocols to manage operations in low visibility, the sheer density of the fog made regular scheduling impossible.
India’s leading domestic carrier, IndiGo, released a travel advisory warning passengers that disruptions would likely persist into the afternoon. The airline confirmed that specific routes to Pantnagar and Dehradun were completely cancelled. Their statement emphasized that teams are stationed at key airport touchpoints to assist stranded passengers while they attempt to sequence departures safely.
By early afternoon, Delhi Airport officials noted a slight improvement in weather conditions. A 1:00 PM update suggested that while operations were beginning to normalize, passengers should remain cautious. The airport management has urged everyone to check with their respective airlines for real-time updates before heading to the terminal.
For travelers coming from regions like Odisha, these delays are a reminder of the seasonal challenges at northern Indian hubs. Airport ground teams remain on-site across all terminals to help manage the backlog of passengers and ensure that the transition back to a regular schedule remains as smooth as possible despite the weather-related setbacks.
