Flight Ops Across North, East India Dirupts Due To Dense Fog, Low Visibility

A lethal combination of toxic smog and “Very Dense” winter fog brought air travel to a grinding halt across Northern and Eastern India on Saturday, December 27, 2025. With visibility dropping below 50 meters in several regions, major carriers including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet have activated emergency fog contingency plans, impacting the holiday plans of thousands.

The Aviation Crisis: Airports on High Alert

As of Saturday morning, over 550 commercial flights across the country have faced significant delays, with dozens of cancellations reported at Delhi’s IGI Airport alone.

• IndiGo Advisory: The airline warned of severe disruptions at Agartala, Bagdogra, and Hindon airports. Fluctuating visibility also slowed operations at Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Ranchi.
• SpiceJet Alert: The carrier highlighted Bagdogra as a critical zone, noting that poor visibility there is causing a “ripple effect” of delays across its connected domestic network.
• Jaisalmer & Ayodhya: Jaisalmer Airport issued a fresh fog advisory, while Ayodhya’s Maharishi Valmiki International Airport saw multiple flight cancellations due to persistent low-visibility procedures.

Pollution Punch: Delhi Gasps in ‘Poor’ Air

While fog blinded the skies, “Very Poor” air quality choked the ground in the national capital.

• The Smog Blank: Visuals from Dhaula Kuan and India Gate on Saturday showed a thick gray blanket trapping pollutants at ground level.
• AQI Readings: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an overall AQI of 353 for Delhi, a sharp spike from Friday’s 305.
• Hotspots: Areas like Anand Vihar (410) and Jahangirpuri (417) crossed into the ‘Severe’ category, prompting authorities to reconsider Stage III Grap measures.

Weather Forecast: A “Severe” End to 2025

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Saturday and a Yellow Alert through December 28 for Delhi-NCR.

• Cold Wave: Minimum temperatures have plunged to 8.6°C in Delhi, with severe cold day conditions expected in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh until December 31.
• Western Disturbance: A fresh system is expected to hit the Western Himalayan region starting Saturday night, potentially bringing rain to the plains and improving visibility slightly by Monday.

Traveler Advice: Airlines are urging passengers to use ‘FogCare’ portals to reschedule flights for free and to build at least a 6-hour buffer into their itineraries for onward international connections.