Dense fog slows Delhi airport again as airlines cancel flights and travellers face long delays
Dense fog gripped Delhi again on Tuesday morning. Airlines struggled. Crews worked under pressure. Meanwhile, travellers waited for hours. The scene repeated the chaos of the previous day. This time, the impact spread wider across the network.
Early in the morning, thick clouds covered the runway. Pilots reported poor visibility. Ground staff guided aircraft with caution. As a result, schedules collapsed within minutes. Airlines cancelled more than 118 flights. They also delayed over 200 flights. Some carriers diverted several aircraft to other cities. Families changed plans. Business travellers missed meetings. Tempers rose inside terminals.
The India Meteorological Department tracked the situation closely. Forecasters measured visibility near 350 metres at IGI Airport around 9:30 a.m. They warned that dense fog could hold over the region through the day. Then they urged authorities to prepare for longer disruptions. The warning matched what commuters already felt: nothing moved on time.
Train services also struggled. Station announcements kept changing. Conductors adjusted timings again and again. Commuters searched for alternatives. Therefore, the city experienced a second straight day of travel pain.
Meanwhile, the Airports Authority of India reviewed operations across the north. Officials issued an advisory. They alerted passengers about likely delays at multiple airports. They asked travellers to stay in contact with airlines. They also suggested extra time for check-in and security. In addition, they deployed help desks at busy terminals. Staff guided elderly passengers. Volunteers assisted families with children. The goal stayed clear: reduce confusion on the ground.
Airlines responded as well. IndiGo released a late-night advisory. The carrier flagged possible disruptions in Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jammu, Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, and Hindon. Its operation teams monitored the fog minute by minute. Dispatchers updated pilots constantly. Crews prepared contingency plans. Nevertheless, the weather tightened its grip.
Other airlines posted similar alerts. They asked customers to track real-time flight status. They encouraged digital check-ins. They advised travellers to arrive earlier than usual. Even so, queues grew longer. Cafés filled up. Charging points stayed crowded.
The background explains the tension. Winter fog hits Delhi every year. Warm city air meets cold northern winds. Moisture locks above the tarmac. Then droplets reduce visibility, and pilots follow strict safety rules. Modern navigation helps, yet heavy fog still slows traffic. Moreover, rising air travel and busy schedules leave little spare capacity. One morning of thick fog can ripple through the entire system.
On Monday, airlines cancelled more than 120 flights and delayed hundreds more. IndiGo alone grounded dozens across its network. Tuesday repeated the pattern. Crews worked overtime. Controllers shuffled slots. However, the backlog kept growing.
Looking ahead, meteorologists expect gradual improvement, but not a quick fix. Authorities plan more advisories. Airlines plan flexible rebooking. Travellers now plan for uncertainty.
Delhi knows this cycle. Winter arrives. Fog rolls in. Transport bends under pressure. Still, the city adapts. People adjust their routes. Airlines adjust their rosters. And the airport, once again, races to regain rhythm.
For now, fog rules the schedule. Airlines watch the skies. Passengers watch their phones. And everyone waits for clearer mornings.
