IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has issued a broad travel advisory as thick winter fog disrupts air traffic across large parts of the country, warning passengers that early morning flights in North and East India are likely to face delays, schedule changes and possible cancellations as visibility drops sharply at key airports.

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IndiGo Sounds Alarm As Winter Fog Tightens Grip On Key Routes

The fresh advisory, issued late on Tuesday night for travel on Wednesday, December 17, comes after days of dense fog over Delhi and surrounding states slowed aircraft movements and pushed airport operations to their limits.

IndiGo cautioned that misty winter skies and low visibility could significantly slow flight movements across its northern and eastern network, with the first wave of departures and arrivals most exposed.

The airline said the advisory primarily targets customers booked on early morning departures, a critical period when the combination of night-time cooling and stagnant air typically produces the thickest fog layers. It acknowledged that in the interest of safety some services may be delayed or require operational adjustments as conditions change through the morning.

IndiGo has urged passengers to rely only on its official website and mobile app, along with authenticated notifications, for real-time updates on delays, gate changes or cancellations. The carrier stressed that while its operations teams will seek to minimise disruption, adverse weather and low visibility at airports remain beyond the airline’s direct control.

Delhi At The Epicentre As Dense Fog Knocks Out Hundreds Of Flights

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has emerged as the epicentre of the weather-related disruption. On Monday, a particularly intense fog spell reduced visibility to near zero at times, triggering the cancellation or delay of hundreds of flights across all airlines as runway operations shifted to low-visibility procedures.

Airport authorities reported that as conditions worsened, more than 200 flights were either cancelled, heavily delayed or diverted over the course of the day, with knock-on effects lasting into subsequent days. While Delhi is equipped with advanced CAT III Instrument Landing Systems to support operations in poor visibility, not all aircraft and crew are certified for such procedures, leading to selective cancellations and extended holding patterns.

The impact has rippled far beyond the capital. Disruptions at Delhi, a primary domestic and international hub, have cascaded across IndiGo’s route map, affecting flights in cities such as Lucknow, Patna, Varanasi, Kolkata and Guwahati that depend on timely rotations of aircraft and crew from the national capital.

North And East India See Systemic Slowdown As Visibility Drops

While Delhi has borne the brunt, IndiGo’s advisory explicitly covers large swathes of northern and eastern India, where early winter fog has arrived earlier and thicker than many travellers anticipated. Meteorological forecasts indicate that dense to very dense fog is likely during the early morning hours across parts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and sections of the Northeast.

For airlines, this creates a systemic challenge. Reduced visibility on approach and departure paths forces air traffic controllers to widen separation between aircraft, naturally slowing the pace of operations. Turnaround times lengthen as aircraft and ground crews contend with slick surfaces, reduced visibility on taxiways and heavier congestion at stands and gates.

In its communication, IndiGo has made clear that such conditions can slow the entire system even when flights ultimately depart and arrive safely. Minor morning delays at fog-prone airports frequently cascade into longer disruptions through the day, particularly on busy routes where aircraft perform multiple sectors.

Airports And Regulators Activate Winter Operations Playbook

Major airports in North India, including Delhi, have activated detailed winter operations plans designed to keep as much of the schedule intact as safety standards allow. At Indira Gandhi International Airport, runway operations are being conducted under low-visibility protocols whenever fog intensifies, with real-time coordination between air traffic controllers, airport operators and airline operations centres.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India’s aviation regulator, has previously mandated robust fog preparedness, including training for CAT II and CAT III operations, enhanced runway lighting, and stricter rules around crew duty times in adverse weather.

While these measures allow a significant number of flights to operate safely, they do not eliminate the likelihood of delays or cancellations when visibility falls below certified minima.

Other major airports, including Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, have also issued advisories warning that early morning fog could impact flight schedules and slow road traffic to and from the terminals. Passengers have been urged to arrive well in advance and allow extra time for check-in and security, especially during busy holiday travel periods.

IndiGo’s Operational Response: Safety First, Schedules Second

Facing mounting frustration from travellers stranded in terminals or missing connections, IndiGo has reiterated that safety remains its guiding principle. In statements following the most severe disruptions earlier in the week, the airline described the situation as beyond its control, pointing to operating minima that prohibit departures and landings when visibility sinks below prescribed thresholds.

The carrier has instituted proactive cancellations on certain routes during the worst fog episodes in order to avoid long queues of aircraft waiting on the ground or passengers facing hours-long delays at airports.

By trimming schedules in advance, IndiGo says it can reduce passenger inconvenience, prioritise flights with higher connectivity importance and provide clearer information about options for rebooking or refunds.

Behind the scenes, its operations control centres are tracking meteorological data, coordinating with air traffic management units, and reallocating aircraft and crew as conditions evolve. Ground staff and call centre teams are handling a surge in queries from passengers affected by last-minute changes, while digital channels push status alerts and advisories through the night and early morning.

Passengers Advised To Build In Buffer Time And Stay Flexible

The broad warning from IndiGo carries a consistent message for travellers: in fog-prone regions, flexibility and preparation are essential. The airline is urging customers booked on early morning flights to monitor their departure status closely before leaving home, especially on routes touching Delhi and other northern hubs where visibility fluctuates rapidly.

IndiGo notes that foggy conditions can slow not only air traffic but also road journeys to the airport, as reduced visibility and heavier congestion lengthen travel times on key highways and approach roads. Passengers are advised to factor in generous buffer time for check-in, security screening and boarding, particularly during peak hours and for international flights that require additional formalities.

For those with onward connections, either domestic or international, the airline recommends opting for longer connection windows when possible and remaining prepared for last-minute retimings. Travel experts similarly advise keeping itineraries as simple as possible during the height of the winter fog season, avoiding tightly timed multi-leg journeys through fog-affected hubs when alternative dates or routes exist.

Impact On Tourism, Business Travel And Holiday Plans

The timing of the fog-related disruption is particularly sensitive for India’s travel and tourism sector, which is entering a busy year-end and New Year holiday period. Domestic tourists heading to popular winter destinations in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh rely heavily on morning departures from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, many of which now face higher disruption risk.

Business travellers, too, are feeling the pinch as meetings and events scheduled in major metros collide with unpredictable flight operations. Missed connections and last-minute rescheduling are adding costs for companies and complicating logistics for conferences and large gatherings planned weeks in advance.

Travel agencies and online booking platforms report a spike in customer enquiries about contingency plans, flexible fares and alternate routes that bypass the earliest morning departures. Some travellers are opting for midday or afternoon flights where possible, trading the convenience of early starts for the relative stability that typically comes once fog lifts and operations normalise later in the day.

What Travellers Should Do Right Now

For flyers currently booked with IndiGo in the coming days, aviation and travel professionals underscore a few key steps. First, check flight status repeatedly, not just once, as conditions can change quickly in the pre-dawn hours. Rely on the airline’s official digital channels and airport display systems instead of third-party information or social media speculation.

Second, ensure that contact details in the booking are accurate and updated so that automated notifications by SMS or email reach passengers in time. Many airlines, including IndiGo, now use these channels to communicate gate changes, revised departure times or rebooking options without requiring travellers to stand in long queues at service desks.

Third, when disruptions are significant, those with flexible plans may consider voluntarily shifting to later flights or alternative dates. This can ease congestion and reduce personal stress, especially for non-essential trips. Where eligible, passengers should familiarise themselves with the airline’s policies on rebooking, vouchers or refunds during weather-related events, which can differ from standard conditions.

FAQ

Q1. Why has IndiGo issued a special travel advisory now?
IndiGo has issued the advisory because dense winter fog and low visibility are disrupting flight operations across North and East India, particularly during early morning hours, increasing the risk of delays, schedule changes and cancellations.

Q2. Which regions and airports are most affected by the winter fog?
The worst disruptions are being reported at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, with additional impact at other northern and eastern airports such as Lucknow, Patna, Varanasi, Kolkata and Guwahati that are linked to Delhi and other fog-prone hubs.

Q3. Are all IndiGo flights delayed or cancelled during this period?
No, not all flights are affected. Many services continue to operate, but early morning departures and arrivals in fog-hit regions face a higher risk of disruption as air traffic control imposes low-visibility procedures.

Q4. How can I check if my IndiGo flight is on time?
Passengers should check their flight status through IndiGo’s official website, mobile app or verified customer service channels, and continue to refresh this information closer to departure because conditions and schedules can change quickly.

Q5. What should I do if my flight is cancelled due to fog?
If your flight is cancelled, IndiGo typically offers options such as rebooking on a later flight or alternative date, or seeking a refund in line with its weather disruption policies, and travellers should follow the instructions provided in airline notifications or at airport service counters.

Q6. Why can’t airlines operate normally if airports have advanced landing systems?
Even at airports equipped with advanced Instrument Landing Systems, operations depend on aircraft and crew certification and strict visibility minima, so when fog becomes too dense or persists, some flights must be delayed or cancelled to maintain safety margins.

Q7. How much extra time should I allow to reach the airport during foggy conditions?
Travellers are advised to build in significant buffer time, often at least 30 to 60 minutes more than usual, as fog can slow road traffic, increase congestion and lengthen check-in and security queues at busy terminals.

Q8. Are connecting flights and international journeys more vulnerable to disruption?
Yes, complex itineraries with tight connections are more vulnerable because a delay on the first leg can cause missed onward flights, so travellers are encouraged to allow longer connection windows or choose later flights when possible.

Q9. Will fog-related disruptions continue through the rest of December?
Meteorological forecasts suggest that early morning fog across North India is likely to persist through much of December, meaning intermittent disruption is possible whenever visibility drops sharply during peak winter conditions.

Q10. Can travel insurance help if my plans are affected by winter fog?
Depending on the policy, travel insurance may cover some costs associated with delays, missed connections or additional accommodation, but passengers should read the fine print carefully to understand what weather-related disruptions are included or excluded.