A dense blanket of smog and winter fog gripped Delhi on Monday morning, severely affecting visibility and raising concerns over flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. With air quality plunging to alarming levels, passengers were advised to stay alert and prepared for possible delays.
Poor visibility hits flight operations
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at a ‘severe’ 454 at 7:05 am on Monday. On Sunday, the AQI had touched 461, making it the second-worst air quality day recorded in December. Reduced visibility caused by the toxic haze led Delhi Airport authorities to issue a travel advisory early in the day.
In a post on social media platform X, the airport said flight operations may face disruptions due to dense fog. Passengers were advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest updates. The airport also stated that it was coordinating closely with all stakeholders to minimise inconvenience and expressed regret for any disruption caused to travellers.
Update issued at 06:12 hours.
Kind attention to all flyers!#Fog #FogAlert #DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/qjVGEBhPxu---Advertisement---— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) December 15, 2025
IndiGo urges extra caution, more travel time
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, also issued a separate advisory, warning that low visibility over Delhi could impact flight schedules. The airline said it was closely monitoring weather conditions and making every effort to ensure passenger safety while maintaining smooth operations. Travellers were encouraged to regularly check their flight status through the airline’s website or mobile app.
Travel Advisory
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) December 14, 2025
Delhi is seeing its first hint of winter fog this morning, and visibility around the airport is currently reduced. As operations adjust to the changing weather, some flights may take a little longer to depart.
We understand plans, schedules and connections…
In another update, IndiGo urged passengers to plan additional time for their journey to the airport, as road traffic was expected to move slowly due to poor visibility caused by the smog. The airline reassured flyers that its ground teams were available to assist and would continue operations as conditions improved, keeping safety as the top priority.
Several parts of Delhi reported extremely poor air quality, including Akshardham (AQI 493), Barakhamba Road (474) and Barapulla flyover (433). In response to the worsening situation, the Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan, banning construction activities, promoting work-from-home for 50 per cent of staff and shifting most school classes to hybrid mode.
