Red Alert In Delhi As Dense Fog Reduces Visibility; Over 140 Flights Cancelled, Trains Affected

Last Updated:December 31, 2025, 11:41 IST

Delhi Airport released a passenger advisory stating that, due to the prevailing dense fog, flight operations were being carried out under CAT III protocols.

Low Visibility Due to Fog Impacts Delhi

Dense fog covered parts of Delhi-NCR on Wednesday, December 31, affecting visibility across the region.

Visibility was recorded at 50 metres at both Palam and Safdarjung at 6.30 am, the weather office said. The national capital recorded a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 384, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

A station-wise breakdown showed that 21 monitoring stations recorded ‘very poor’ air quality, while 16 stations were in the ‘severe’ category, with Anand Vihar registering the worst AQI at 452, according to data from the CPCB’s SAMEER app.

Flight operation hit

Meanwhile, poor visibility disrupted air travel across the region. The weather conditions led to delays and possible cancellations at Indira Gandhi International Airport, prompting authorities and airlines to issue advisories for passengers. The weather department had sounded red alert in Delhi due to dense fog till 10 a.m.

Delhi Airport released a passenger advisory stating that, due to the prevailing dense fog, flight operations were being carried out under CAT III protocols. The airport warned that this could result in delays or cancellations. It said ground teams were present on site and actively helping passengers to ensure smoother travel. Travellers were advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates.

Passenger Advisory issued at 06:00 hrs.Please click on this link for real-time winter travel updates: http://https://t.co/1grW9nhXpJ#DelhiAirport #PassengerAdvisory #DELAdvisory pic.twitter.com/pRpamFucFa— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) December 31, 2025

IndiGo, Air India issue advisory

IndiGo also issued multiple advisories to alert passengers about the situation. The airline said foggy conditions were present across Delhi and several airports in northern India. It warned that if reduced visibility continued, flight departures and arrivals could be affected as the day progressed. IndiGo said it was closely monitoring the situation and making operational changes where needed to keep journeys running as smoothly as possible.

The airline advised passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. It also cautioned that fog could affect road traffic and suggested keeping extra time in hand while travelling to the airport. IndiGo said any changes to flights would be shared through registered contact details and its digital platforms.

In another update, IndiGo said that Delhi and Hindon Airport remained covered in cold winter air and lingering fog. It noted that fluctuating visibility had already led to changes in flight schedules and that operations could be slower than usual as conditions changed. The airline said its ground teams were focusing on safety and following visibility rules.

VIDEO | Delhi: Dense fog reduces visibility to zero in the national capital city affecting road, rail and air traffic. Several flights cancelled, rescheduled at Delhi airport.#Fog #WeatherUpdate #Delhi(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/N5fDOQ4aHJ— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 31, 2025

Air India also warned of possible disruptions due to forecasts of dense fog and low visibility across Delhi and northern India. The airline said it expected impacts on flight schedules, along with possible knock-on delays across its network. Air India said it was closely tracking the situation and had taken steps to reduce inconvenience for passengers.

These measures included the planned cancellation of some morning flights that were most likely to be affected by fog. Passengers were informed in advance to avoid long and uncertain waits at airports. Air India added that its airport teams would remain available to assist passengers in case of delays, diversions or cancellations.

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