Dense fog once again paralysed air travel in the Indian capital on Sunday, with nearly 100 flights cancelled and more than 200 delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
According to airport officials, 97 flights were cancelled, including 48 arrivals and 49 departures, while hundreds of others faced delays averaging around 23 minutes. The disruption was attributed to poor visibility caused by a thick blanket of fog and smog that has persisted across northern India in recent days.
Passengers reported long queues and confusion as schedules were repeatedly revised. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued an advisory warning that fog conditions were affecting visibility across several northern states, impacting both air and rail travel. Northern Railways confirmed that more than 50 trains were also delayed due to the adverse weather.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that visibility at IGIA dropped to as low as 200–350 metres during the early morning hours, severely hampering operations.
Temperatures in Delhi hovered around 9°C, intensifying the cold wave gripping the region. Officials added that the situation was compounded by deteriorating air quality, with smog levels edging closer to the ‘severe’ category.
A spokesperson for Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operates IGIA, said: “Flight operations are being managed with safety as the top priority. Passengers are advised to check with airlines for updated schedules before heading to the airport.”
The disruption comes at a peak travel period, with thousands of passengers relying on Delhi’s airport, the busiest in India, for domestic and international connections. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 confirmed widespread delays, with several airlines forced to reschedule or divert services.
Local commuters expressed frustration at the lack of clear communication, while aviation experts highlighted the need for enhanced fog-handling infrastructure. Despite the challenges, airport authorities maintained that contingency measures were in place to minimise inconvenience.
The IMD has forecast continued foggy conditions in the coming days, raising concerns of further travel disruptions. Authorities urged passengers to remain vigilant and plan journeys accordingly.
Sources: The Hindu, India Today, Hindustan Times
