Delhi Airport faced widespread disruption on Monday as dense winter fog sharply reduced visibility across the national capital, grounding dozens of flights and delaying hundreds more. The operational breakdown underscored how seasonal climate events continue to strain India’s busiest aviation hub, affecting passenger mobility, airline economics, and broader urban connectivity across North India.
Airport officials confirmed that more than 60 flights were cancelled during the morning hours, while over 250 departures and arrivals faced delays. Five inbound flights were diverted to alternative airports due to unsafe landing conditions. Several airlines issued early advisories, warning passengers to expect extended delays as visibility levels dropped below operational thresholds. Industry officials said that flights lacking advanced CAT III landing capability were the most impacted. CAT III systems allow aircraft to land safely in extremely low visibility, a technology increasingly essential for winter operations in northern Indian cities.
“Aircraft and crew readiness remains uneven across fleets, making fog a recurring vulnerability,” an aviation expert noted. By early afternoon, airport authorities reported gradual improvement in runway visibility, allowing partial restoration of services. However, congestion built up through the day as rescheduled flights competed for limited slots. Airline officials stated that cancellations were prioritised to avoid prolonged uncertainty for passengers amid unpredictable weather conditions. The disruption extended beyond Delhi, with several regional airports reporting cancellations of Delhi-bound flights. Aviation regulators issued a fog alert for North Indian airports, advising travellers to monitor flight status before heading to terminals. On-ground teams were deployed across terminals to assist passengers with rebooking and crowd management.
Delhi Airport handles nearly 1,300 flight movements daily, making it a critical node in India’s urban mobility network. Repeated fog-related disruptions highlight the growing intersection between climate variability and infrastructure resilience. Urban transport planners say such events expose the need for climate-adaptive aviation systems, better fleet modernisation, and stronger coordination between airports and airlines.From a sustainability perspective, experts argue that improving predictability in air travel reduces unnecessary fuel burn from diversions and idling aircraft, aligning with low-carbon transport goals. “Climate resilience is no longer optional infrastructure planning it is central to economic efficiency and passenger equity,” said a senior urban mobility analyst. As Indian cities confront increasingly erratic weather patterns, the Delhi Airport fog disruption serves as a reminder that resilient, inclusive, and technologically upgraded transport systems are essential for sustainable urban futures.
Delhi Dense Fog Cancels 60 Flights Delays 250 Disrupts Airport Operations Severely
