Air travel in India faced fresh disruption on Monday as dense fog and bad weather slowed flights and forced airlines to issue travel warnings. Major carriers, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, warned passengers that poor visibility could affect departures and arrivals at airports from Delhi to other northern cities. The situation has left many travellers unsure about their travel plans.
Airlines Issue Travel Advisories
IndiGo alerted passengers that dense fog across the northern region has sharply reduced visibility and could delay flights or lead to cancellations. The airline said early‑morning fog in cities including Delhi, Dehradun, and Guwahati may cause sudden drops in visibility, affecting normal flight operations. “Some flights may experience delays, and cancellations remain a possibility as the weather shows no signs of improvement,” the airline said in its advisory.
Air India also released a travel advisory, warning that dense fog in the north would likely disrupt schedules. The national carrier said it was taking steps to reduce passenger inconvenience. “Weather forecast for tomorrow morning indicates dense fog with low visibility in parts of northern India, including Delhi, which is likely to impact flight operations,” Air India said.
SpiceJet added that poor visibility could affect all departures and arrivals and their connecting flights, and urged travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Warnings for Delhi Airport and Northern Cities
At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and other hubs in the northern belt, winter fog sharply cut visibility, forcing the use of special landing systems that can operate in low‑visibility conditions. Flights were slowed as crews and airports worked under these conditions to keep operations safe.
IndiGo alone cancelled around 70–80 flights on Monday as fog continued to disrupt the schedule across its network. Both departures and arrivals were affected at several airports. Many passengers faced delays and had to wait longer than usual, while some flights were cancelled altogether.
Passenger Advice and Safety Measures
Airlines and airports urged passengers to keep checking their flight status through official apps and websites. They also asked travellers to arrive at airports early due to fog slowing ground movement and check‑in processes. Some carriers offered options to reschedule flights or apply for refunds without extra charges if travel plans changed due to weather.
The Civil Aviation Ministry also warned that fog may affect flight operations at select northern airports and advised passengers to plan accordingly. “Due to fog conditions across parts of Northern India, flight operations at select airports may be impacted, leading to possible delays,” the ministry said in a travel notice.
What Travellers Should Do Now
Seasonal fog will likely continue to affect flights, especially in the early mornings. Travellers should monitor weather reports, check airline updates regularly, and allow extra time for airport travel. With fog continuing through the winter season, airlines are expected to keep advisories in place to help passengers manage changes and reduce disruption.