New Delhi, January 2, 2026: Delhi airport fog caused major disruption to air traffic on Friday as dense fog and low visibility led to the cancellation of 66 flights. Several airlines suspended operations to ensure passenger safety amid challenging weather conditions.
According to airport sources, Delhi airport fog forced airlines to cancel 32 arrival flights and 34 departure flights. Poor visibility during early morning and late-night hours reduced safe landing and take-off margins, prompting airlines to take precautionary measures.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already declared December 10 to February 10 as the official fog window for the winter season. During this period, airlines must follow strict operational guidelines to manage fog-related disruptions.
Under DGCA norms, airlines must roster pilots trained for low-visibility operations and deploy CAT-IIIB-compliant aircraft. These aircraft use advanced navigation systems that allow safe landings even when visibility drops sharply.
Category-III technology plays a crucial role during severe fog. Category-III-A allows aircraft to land with a runway visual range of 200 metres, while Category-III-B supports landings when visibility falls below 50 metres.
Airport authorities advised passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport. Airlines also issued travel advisories and offered rebooking or refunds to affected passengers as foggy conditions continued to impact operations.
