Delhi fog grounds travel: airlines cancel flights, divert routes, and warn passengers
Dense fog covered Delhi-NCR on Monday. Visibility dropped to near zero. Airlines acted fast. They cancelled 128 flights and diverted eight more. They also slowed several departures and arrivals. Meanwhile, long queues formed at terminals. Travelers searched for updates. Tempers rose. However, airport teams worked across checkpoints and tried to keep order.
The trouble began before dawn. Thick fog settled over the capital. The cold tightened. Therefore, flight schedules slipped. By mid-morning, FlightRadar24 data showed major delays across the board. Departures fell behind. Arrivals missed slots. Airlines adjusted rotations and crews. Ground staff guided passengers and redirected them to new counters.
Delhi airport responded. The operator shared frequent advisories. The team told passengers to track flights and plan long buffers. The airport also used CAT III procedures. These procedures allow pilots to land in very low visibility. Even then, airlines faced limits. Safety took priority. As a result, airlines cancelled routes with the least flexibility and reshuffled the rest.
Rail travelers felt the squeeze too. Fog rolled over north India. Many trains ran late. Crews slowed speeds. Stations filled with announcements. Families waited with blankets and tea. The ripple spread from Delhi to Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and beyond. Roads clogged near major stations as ride-hail drivers changed plans on the fly.
IndiGo addressed the disruption. The airline said visibility kept shifting. Crews slowed turnarounds. IndiGo urged passengers to check the app and arrive early. The carrier promised steady recovery after weather improvement. Air India followed. The airline warned of delays and urged flyers to confirm status before leaving home. SpiceJet also asked travelers to allow extra time. Each airline focused on safety, clear information, and steady pacing.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department tracked the system. Forecasters said dense to very dense fog would stretch across several states through the week. They highlighted night and early morning hours. They pointed to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and west Uttar Pradesh. Then they watched east Uttar Pradesh, where fog may stay longer. They signaled gradual improvement after the New Year.
In Delhi, the weather office issued an orange alert. The city braced for a chilly stretch. The maximum temperature may hover near 22°C. The minimum may slide near 7°C. Cold winds added bite. Health experts advised layers, slow driving, and hydration. Schools monitored attendance. Offices adjusted reporting times.
Travelers adapted. Some rescheduled meetings. Others shifted to trains or overnight buses. Still others delayed trips entirely. Hotels near the airport filled quickly. Customer service desks handled long requests. Yet, many travelers showed patience. They understood the stakes. Aircraft need clear paths. Crews need reliable signals. Safety rules demand discipline.
Looking ahead, airport teams plan tighter coordination. Airlines plan better crew reserves. The weather office plans frequent bulletins. Together, they hope to manage the fog more smoothly. Until then, passengers should stay alert. Check the airline app. Leave early. And prepare for changes. In winter, Delhi fog writes the schedule.
