Delhi fog cancels 150 flights, delays dampen New Year travel
As dense fog disrupts Delhi flights, airlines urge passengers to check updates and plan travel with patience.
Dense fog shrouded Delhi on the final day of 2025, throwing New Year travel plans into disarray as flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were severely disrupted. According to information accessed by HT, at least 150 flights were cancelled on Wednesday, while more than 250 others faced delays, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or anxiously waiting for updates.
From the early hours of the morning, visibility across the national capital dropped dramatically, in some areas to just a few metres. Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed a thick blanket of fog engulfing roads, buildings and the airport runway, making normal flight operations difficult and, in some cases, impossible. For many travellers hoping to reach family or holiday destinations before ringing in the New Year, the morning began with uncertainty and frustration.
Major domestic airlines including IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet issued travel advisories, urging passengers to check the latest status of their flights before heading to the airport. Airlines also advised travellers to allow extra time for security and boarding procedures, warning that delays could continue as long as weather conditions remained unfavourable.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued a yellow alert for moderate to dense fog on New Year’s Eve, cautioning that low visibility could impact road, rail and air travel. Meteorologists said calm winds and high moisture levels created ideal conditions for fog formation, a common winter challenge in north India but one that feels particularly disruptive during the festive travel rush.
Inside the airport, scenes of long queues, tired families and passengers constantly refreshing airline apps played out through the day. Some travellers were forced to rebook flights, while others chose to wait it out, hoping visibility would improve by afternoon or evening.
Airport authorities said operations were being closely monitored and coordinated with airlines and air traffic control to minimise further disruption. However, officials acknowledged that safety remains the top priority during low-visibility conditions.
As Delhi prepares to welcome the New Year, the fog served as a reminder of winter’s grip on the capital — and how quickly weather can upend even the most carefully laid travel plans.