Flight and train operations across several parts of the country were severely disrupted on Monday due to dense fog, with Delhi airport witnessing major disruptions that left thousands of passengers stranded.
At Delhi airport, a total of 128 flights were cancelled — including 64 arrivals and 64 departures. Eight flights were diverted, while over 30 others were delayed as poor visibility conditions hampered operations. Visibility levels reportedly dropped to around 125 metres, significantly affecting aircraft movement.
Dense fog also disrupted flight operations across multiple regions, leading to delays and cancellations at several airports. Cascading delays resulted in congestion, forcing passengers to wait for hours.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for dense fog in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Maximum and minimum temperatures in the region are expected to remain around 22 degrees Celsius and 7 degrees Celsius, respectively. Similar orange alerts have been issued for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has declared the period from December 10 to February 10, 2026, as the official fog season window, during which fog-related disruptions are expected to be frequent.
In a passenger advisory shared on X, Delhi Airport authorities said flight operations were being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, warning of possible delays and cancellations. Passengers were advised to check flight status with airlines before heading to the airport.
Several inbound flights to Delhi were diverted because of poor visibility, air traffic congestion and operational delays, further compounding passenger inconvenience. Airlines also issued advisories cautioning travellers about potential disruptions.
IndiGo said dense fog in Jammu continued to impact visibility, affecting flights to and from the region. The airline added that services could be delayed or cancelled depending on weather and operational feasibility.
SpiceJet, in its last update around midnight, said bad weather and poor visibility in Kolkata were affecting departures, arrivals and consequential flights. Passengers were advised to regularly check their flight status.
Rail services were also hit, with several trains running behind schedule due to foggy conditions. Delayed trains included the Mahabodhi Superfast Express (12397), Vikramshila Express (12367), Arunachal Express (22411), Lucknow–New Delhi AC Superfast Express (12429), Bareilly–New Delhi Intercity Express (14315), Muzaffarpur–Porbandar Express (19270), and Katra–Kota Weekly Express (19894), among others.
According to the IMD, a western disturbance is likely to affect north India, with Delhi expected to witness partly cloudy skies on the evening of December 31. Light rain is also possible in parts of Delhi-NCR on January 1. The weather department has issued alerts for severe cold and dense fog conditions in the region ahead of the New Year.