First Indigo and now due to dense fog 66 flights cancelled, 60 trains delayed from Delhi

Published on: 15 Dec 2025 at 02:01 PM

Published by: Fact News

Fact News Service

Chandigarh, December 15: At least 66 flights were cancelled and trains ran hours behind schedule as dense fog blanketed Delhi on Monday morning, reducing visibility to near zero and slowing early-morning traffic across the city. The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for fog, urging residents to remain cautious. Morning temperatures dipped to 12 degrees Celsius, the IMD said.

The weather compounded an already grim air quality situation. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped into the “Severe Plus” category, breaching the 456 mark.
Ashok Vihar recorded an AQI of 500 in the early hours of Monday. Visuals from the Anand Vihar and Akshardham areas showed a thick blanket of toxic smog enveloping the localities, with the air quality index recorded at 493, placing it in the ‘Severe’ category. Similar scenes were witnessed in Dwarka, where the AQI stood at 469, falling in the ‘Severe’ category.

Air quality in Noida was also grim, with the AQI recorded at 454, placing it in the ‘Severe Plus’ category.

An AQI reading of 51–100 is classified as ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 as ‘moderate’, 201–300 as ‘poor’, 301–400 as ‘very poor’, 401–450 as ‘severe’, and 451–500 as ‘severe plus’.

Videos shared on social media showed dense fog blanketing large parts of Delhi-NCR, reducing visibility to near zero and making driving conditions extremely hazardous.

FLIGHT & TRAIN OPS DISRUPTED

Several flights scheduled to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport were cancelled due to poor visibility, with over 20 Air India services and multiple IndiGo flights grounded as a safety measure.

“Poor visibility due to dense fog in Delhi this morning has impacted flight operations for all airlines. We are closely monitoring conditions and will resume operations as soon as it is safe to do so. In the interest of safety, and to avoid prolonged uncertainty for our guests, some flights have been cancelled,” Air India said in an official statement.
IndiGo also issued an advisory, informing passengers of flight cancellations and delays.

“Due to dense fog in Delhi this morning, visibility has reduced drastically, impacting flight operations. As a precaution, some flights may be proactively cancelled through the day to prioritise safety and help minimise extended waiting at the airport. We understand how inconvenient this can be, especially when travel plans are important. Please be assured that our teams across airports are working continuously to manage operations as smoothly as possible, and keep you informed as the situation evolves,” it said.

Air carrier SpiceJet also faced operational issues with significant impact on departures and arrivals of flights at the Delhi airport.

“Due to bad weather (poor visibility) in Delhi (DEL), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights might get affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status via spicejet.com/#status,” the airline said.

In view of the deteriorating weather conditions, Delhi Airport issued an advisory informing passengers of possible delays in flight operations. Flyers have been advised to contact their respective airlines before leaving for the airport. “Due to dense fog, flight operations may experience disruptions. We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimize inconvenience to passengers. For the latest flight updates, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused,” the advisory read.

IndiGo also issued an advisory, asking passengers to regularly check their flight status through its website or mobile app.

“Low visibility and fog over Delhi will impact flight schedules. We’re keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly. We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Be assured, our teams are here to assist you at every step and ensure support. Here’s hoping dearer skies help us serve you better soon and thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time,” the airline said.

Indian Railways operations in Delhi Division area were also affected by the dense fog, with around 60 trains delayed, some running several hours behind schedule. Health experts, meanwhile, flagged serious public health risks from prolonged exposure to the toxic air.