Foggy conditions also slowed rail services, with trains running late and passengers waiting at stations due to poor visibility.
Dense Fog Disrupts New Year’s Eve Flights at Delhi IGI Airport; Over 150 Flights Cancelled
On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, dense fog engulfed the national capital. It severely disrupted flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, leading to widespread cancellations and delays on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
According to official data, at least 150 flights, including 79 arrivals and 71 departures, were cancelled, and more than 250 others were delayed as visibility reduced to just a few metres in early morning conditions, significantly impacting New Year travellers.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a yellow alert for moderate to dense fog across the region for New Year’s Eve. Foggy conditions also slowed rail services, with trains running late and passengers waiting at stations due to poor visibility.
Delhi’s IGI Airport, in an official passenger advisory, cautioned that operations were being conducted under CAT III protocols, which allow landings and take-offs in low visibility but can lead to delays or cancellations. Passengers were urged to check flight status with their airlines.
Major carriers Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet also issued advisories, asking travellers to check real-time status updates and cautioning that fog could affect flight schedules throughout the day.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained “very poor”, with an overall AQI of 383 early Wednesday morning, according to official air quality data referenced in the report, compounding travel and health concerns for commuters.
Source: Hindustan Times
