Flight and train services faced significant disruptions in various parts of India on Monday as dense fog affected operations. The Delhi Airport experienced major disruptions, with 128 flights canceled, including both arrivals and departures. Additionally, eight flights were diverted, and over 30 flights were delayed due to poor visibility conditions, impacting passenger travel.
The dense fog not only affected Delhi but also led to delays and cancellations in flight operations across multiple regions. Passengers encountered long waiting times due to cascading delays, causing congestion and inconvenience at several airports. The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for dense fog in Delhi, the National Capital Region (NCR), Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, with temperatures expected to range between 22 and 7 degrees Celsius.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) declared the period from December 10 to February 10, 2026, as the official fog season window. This announcement anticipates frequent fog-related disruptions during this time. Delhi Airport authorities advised passengers to check their flight status with airlines before heading to the airport, as operations were being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, potentially leading to further delays or cancellations.
Several inbound flights to Delhi were diverted, exacerbating passenger inconvenience due to poor visibility, air traffic congestion, and operational delays. Airlines, including IndiGo and SpiceJet, issued advisories warning travelers of possible cancellations and delays. Railway services were also affected, with multiple trains running behind schedule, including the Mahabodhi Superfast Express, Vikramshila Express, and others, due to foggy conditions.
The India Meteorological Department forecasts partly cloudy skies in Delhi on December 31, with the possibility of light rain in parts of Delhi-NCR on January 1. An alert has been issued for severe cold and dense fog conditions in Delhi-NCR leading up to the New Year.
