Dense Fog Grounds 110 Flights at Delhi Airport, Hundreds More Delayed
Srinagar: Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were severely disrupted on Monday after dense fog reduced visibility, forcing the cancellation of 110 flights and delaying over 200 others, causing travel chaos across northern India.
According to reports, 59 arriving and 51 departing flights were cancelled due to poor visibility conditions, while the remaining services operated with an average delay of around 26 minutes, as per Flightradar24 data. IndiGo emerged as the most affected airline, cancelling several flights connecting Delhi with major cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. The airline advised passengers to check flight status through its app and offered refund or rebooking options.
Airport operator Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) implemented low-visibility procedures, which slowed runway operations as visibility dropped below permissible safety limits. The ripple effect of the disruptions was felt across the country, impacting flights to and from cities such as Srinagar, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru.
Earlier in the day, more than 370 flights were reported delayed nationwide. Passengers endured long waiting hours, with some flights diverted or grounded. Airlines urged travellers to remain flexible, warning that foggy conditions could persist amid the prevailing cold wave.
Officials attributed the disruptions to typical December weather conditions, while aviation experts stressed the need for improved contingency planning. Meanwhile, stranded passengers took to social media to express frustration, even as airlines assured assistance and support.
