Dense fog combined with heavy air pollution has engulfed India’s national capital, New Delhi which has led to severely disrupted operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) and cancellations and delays of hundreds of flights since Dec. 15, 2025.
Visibility has repeatedly dropped to critically low levels during the early morning hours, affecting both domestic and international flights and causing widespread disruption for passengers.
“Fog Window” of Winter Season in India
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), had announced on Nov. 30, 2025 that Dec. 10, 2025 to Feb. 10, 2026 will be the official fog window of this winter season in India.
In a X post on Dec. 19, the DGCA said that passengers affected by smog-related disruptions were advised to check updates with their airline and the airport and allow extra travel time. The regulator also shared airline customer support contact numbers to assist passengers with flight information, rebooking, and refunds, while emphasising that passengers safety remained the top priority.
On Dec. 21, 110 flights were cancelled including 55 arrivals and 55 departures at IGIA while 450 flights were delayed due to low-visibility conditions.
Airlines and Delhi Airport’s response
On Monday, Dec. 22, IGIA’s X account stated that flight operations at the airport are running smoothly and that passengers should contact their airline or check the official airport website for their flight updates. The airport also posted that low-visibility procedures are in progress at IGIA.
Air India, has launched a “FogCare” initiative which allows passengers booked on flights that are likely to be affected during the fog window, to receive advance alerts on their registered phone numbers, with the option to change their flights without any extra payment, or seek a full refund on the bookings without any penalty.
IndiGo, has also asked passengers to expect longer travel times to the airport due to slower movement of traffic impacted by smog. The airline has advised passengers to plan with additional buffer time and check their flight status on the Indigo website or app before leaving home.
Dense smog has also impacted flight operations across Northern India in cities like Chandigarh, Varanasi, Srinagar and many more.
Aviation experts say that winter smog, caused by trapped pollutants and low wind speeds, has consistently worsened visibility during fog window in New Delhi in recent years.
Are you one of the passengers affected by dense smog at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA)? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments.
