New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport experienced significant operational paralysis on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, as dense morning fog created hazardous low-visibility conditions, forcing the cancellation of 126 flights. Aviation authorities confirmed 49 departures and 77 arrivals were scrapped as visibility dropped below safe operational thresholds.
The airport administration issued an official fog alert at 6:00 AM Indian Standard Time, notifying travelers that while recovery operations were underway, substantial disruptions would persist throughout the morning for both inbound and outbound services.
IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, bore the brunt of the weather chaos, canceling 110 flights across its network. The airline proactively communicated with passengers through advance notifications, acknowledging that winter conditions in Northern India frequently create aviation challenges during early morning hours.
The airline stated: “Our teams remain on high alert, continuously monitoring developing weather patterns. We’re implementing strategic adjustments to ground operations to minimize passenger inconvenience and ensure waiting periods are as comfortable as possible under these challenging circumstances.”
Compounding the transportation crisis, Delhi simultaneously grappled with severely deteriorated air quality. The Central Pollution Control Board recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 378 at 8:00 AM, categorizing the capital’s atmosphere as ‘very poor’ and raising substantial public health concerns among the metropolitan population. This dual environmental challenge of dense fog and hazardous pollution created particularly difficult conditions for residents and travelers alike.