New Delhi: Dense fog blanketed Delhi on Wednesday, slashing visibility, disrupting air and rail traffic and keeping the city’s air quality in the “very poor” range, as more than 140 flights were cancelled, over 150 delayed and authorities warned passengers to expect continuing travel disruption.
Officials at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) said at least 148 flights — including 78 arrivals and 70 departures — were cancelled through the day due to poor visibility, while more than 150 others were delayed. Two flights were also diverted. The airport typically handles around 1,300 flight movements daily.
Airport authorities confirmed that operations were being conducted under CAT-III low-visibility protocols and said delays and cancellations may continue as fog persisted across northern India.
In an advisory, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said visibility had improved through the morning but warned that some services would still be affected. “Passengers are advised to track flight updates directly with their airlines and arrive at the airport earlier than usual,” it said, adding that teams were deployed across terminals to assist travellers.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation also issued a nationwide advisory, noting that fog conditions in parts of northern India could affect flight operations at multiple airports. Airlines, it said, had been instructed to strictly follow passenger-service norms, including timely updates, assistance during delays, rebooking or refunds where applicable, and baggage support. Passenger safety and convenience, the ministry said, remained a top priority.
Several carriers issued their own alerts. IndiGo said low visibility at Delhi and other northern airports continued to affect flight schedules and warned that delays may extend into the afternoon. It said departures and arrivals were being carefully sequenced “to ensure steady and orderly movement”.
Air India said it had proactively cancelled some morning flights most likely to be hit by fog in order to prevent long waiting times at airports, while also warning of potential cascading delays across its network. SpiceJet also urged passengers to confirm flight status in advance.
The disruption was not limited to aviation. Rail services were delayed across several routes as dense fog reduced visibility on key stretches, leaving passengers waiting at major stations in the capital.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained poor despite the cold and haze. The city recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 383 early on Wednesday morning, placing it firmly in the “very poor” category and close to the “severe” threshold, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.
Authorities said travel conditions may continue to be affected if fog persists overnight and into Thursday, advising passengers to monitor airline and railway updates closely.
