New Delhi: Dense winter fog began affecting flight operations across parts of North and East India on Tuesday, prompting IndiGo to issue a travel advisory for passengers scheduled to fly during early morning hours.
The airline said low visibility conditions could slow aircraft movements and lead to delays or minor changes in flight schedules, particularly at airports prone to fog during winter. IndiGo stated that airport and airline teams have been placed on alert and are coordinating to manage operations while prioritising safety.
The impact was visible at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, where at least 10 flights were cancelled due to poor visibility, according to airport authorities. Officials also flagged the possibility of further disruptions if fog conditions persist during early hours. Delhi airport, the country’s busiest, handles close to 1,300 flight movements daily, making it especially vulnerable to weather-related delays during winter.
IndiGo advised passengers to expect slower airport operations and asked them to check the latest flight status through official channels before leaving for the airport. The airline also warned that fog could affect road traffic, increasing travel time for passengers commuting to terminals, and recommended allowing additional buffer time for airport travel.
While visibility is expected to improve gradually as the day progresses, airlines and airport operators continue to manage schedules cautiously. Winter fog has historically caused large-scale disruptions in the national capital region and adjoining areas, particularly between December and January.
The advisory comes days after severe fog led to widespread disruption at Delhi airport on December 15, when 228 flights, 131 departures and 97 arrivals were cancelled and five flights were diverted to nearby airports. Airport officials had attributed the disruption to sustained low visibility conditions that made safe operations difficult during early morning hours.
