Over 100 Flights Cancelled, 300 Delayed as Delhi Smog Disrupts Travel

New Delhi: Air travel across North India was disrupted on Monday morning as dense fog and smog sharply reduced visibility, with Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport bearing the brunt of the impact. Flight operations were affected as airlines cancelled and delayed services to ensure safety amid challenging weather conditions.
At Delhi airport alone, more than 300 flights were impacted, including over 105 cancellations and several diversions. Poor visibility during the early morning hours forced authorities to implement low visibility CAT III procedures, allowing aircraft operations to continue cautiously but with inevitable delays. Airport officials coordinated closely with airlines and air traffic control to manage traffic while prioritising passenger safety.
Airlines issued advisories urging passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport and allow additional travel time. IndiGo cancelled a large number of flights connected to Delhi across multiple domestic routes, citing drastically reduced visibility during the city’s first major winter fog spell. The airline cautioned that further cancellations and delays could occur as conditions continued to fluctuate. Air India also warned that dense fog was affecting departures and arrivals in Delhi and other northern airports, advising travellers to remain updated to avoid inconvenience.
The impact extended beyond air travel, with road traffic moving slowly across the capital due to poor visibility. Visuals from several parts of the city showed hazy conditions, prompting authorities to issue alerts for dense fog during the morning hours. In some areas, visibility dropped to as low as 50 metres, while nearby regions in western Uttar Pradesh reported near zero visibility.
The situation was compounded by deteriorating air quality. The Air Quality Index in Delhi remained in the severe category, crossing 430 in several monitoring stations. The thick layer of smog further reduced visibility and posed health risks, particularly for children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.
Rail operations also faced disruptions, adding to commuter difficulties. Authorities continued to advise residents to exercise caution while travelling and limit outdoor exposure where possible. With weather conditions expected to remain challenging, passengers have been urged to stay patient and plan journeys carefully as safety measures remain the top priority.