New Delhi’s aviation infrastructure faced severe operational challenges on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, as an intense fog blanket engulfed the capital region, triggering massive flight disruptions at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Aviation authorities confirmed the cancellation of 118 scheduled flights—60 arrivals and 58 departures—with an additional 16 aircraft diverted to alternative airports due to critically impaired visibility on runways.
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) issued an official advisory warning travelers of anticipated delays across multiple airports in Northern India. The regulatory body activated comprehensive passenger facilitation protocols, deploying specialized assistance teams at affected terminals to provide real-time support to stranded travelers. Officials emphasized that reduced visibility conditions would likely persist, potentially extending operational impacts throughout the day.
Airlines including IndiGo and Air India had previously alerted passengers about weather-related disruptions on Monday, when similar conditions first emerged. Carriers implemented flexible rebooking policies, allowing affected passengers to either reschedule journeys or process full refunds through automated systems. Ground teams received reinforcements to handle increased passenger inquiries and logistical challenges at terminal facilities.
Aviation meteorologists attributed the severe visibility reduction to atypical temperature inversions combined with elevated humidity levels characteristic of North Indian winters. The airport’s advanced Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) operated at maximum capability but could not fully compensate for the exceptionally dense fog conditions.
Passengers received explicit guidance to maintain constant communication with their airlines through official channels and allocate substantial additional time for airport procedures. The AAI published dedicated customer support numbers for major carriers including SpiceJet (+91 124 498 3410), Air India Express (+91 124 443 5600), and Akasa Air (9606112131) to streamline information dissemination.
Industry analysts noted that such severe December fog events, while historically occurring, have shown increased frequency and intensity in recent years. Airport authorities reiterated their commitment to implementing enhanced cold-weather operational protocols developed specifically for such adverse conditions, prioritizing both safety and passenger convenience during weather-induced disruptions.