Delhi Airport Halts ​Flights Amid Dense Fog

Early ⁢morning⁢ fog​ rolled ‌into Delhi, ​India, causing significant disruptions to air travel on January 4, 2025. The dense fog reduced ‌visibility, leading to a⁣ temporary halt in ⁢both departures and arrivals at Delhi Airport.

Budget carrier ​IndiGo was among ‌the first ⁣to⁣ announce the suspension of operations.In a ⁣post on X (formerly Twitter) ⁤at 1:05 AM, the airline stated,​ “#6ETravelAdvisory: Departures and arrivals at #DelhiAirport are currently on hold⁢ due to reduced visibility.”

While IndiGo acknowledged the​ temporary suspension,‍ they also‌ warned of potential further delays. ‌ Even‌ after the resumption of flights, the ⁢airline anticipated continued disruptions due to ​“airside congestion.” This congestion, a common occurrence after⁤ periods of flight ⁣cancellations, refers to the backlog of aircraft and ground⁤ crews needing to be re-organized.

Air India echoed ‌IndiGo’s announcement, confirming the impact ⁤of the poor visibility on their flight schedule. In​ an ​update‌ on X at 1:16 AM, the airline attributed the operational challenges to “poor visibility due to dense fog affecting flight‍ operations ‌in Delhi and parts of northern India.”

The situation highlights the​ vulnerability of air travel to severe weather conditions. Similar fog-related‌ delays and cancellations frequently occur in U.S. airports,especially ‌during the winter months. These events underscore the importance of airlines having robust contingency ⁢plans and passengers ⁣checking flight statuses before heading to the airport.

As ⁤of⁣ this report, the extent of the delays and cancellations remains unclear, ⁢but passengers are advised to monitor ​updates from their‌ respective airlines and Delhi Airport authorities.

Delhi Airport ‍Fog Delays: An Expert Interview

[Interviewer:] Welcome back to World Today News.Joining us today is Dr. Maya ‌Sharma, ⁢a ‌meteorologist specializing in forecasting extreme weather conditions and their impact on aviation.Dr. Sharma, thank you for being here.

[Dr. Sharma:] Thank you ⁢for having me.

[Interviewer:] We’re seeing ​reports of critically important disruptions at Delhi Airport this‌ morning ⁤due to ​dense fog. Can you explain what’s causing this​ weather phenomenon?

[Dr. Sharma:] The ​current fog conditions in Delhi are due to a combination of factors. We have near-freezing temperatures overnight, moist ground conditions, and calm‌ winds. This creates the perfect habitat for water vapor to condense ​into tiny droplets,⁤ forming⁤ fog.

[Interviewer:] We’re seeing that IndiGo and Air India have already announced flight suspensions due to visibility issues.


How long do these conditions typically last, and what sort of impact can we expect on air travel?

[Dr. Sharma:] Dense⁣ fog‍ events like this can last anywhere from ⁤a few hours to a full day, depending on the meteorological conditions. As the sun‍ rises ⁣and temperatures warm, the fog usually starts to dissipate.In the meantime,‍ we can expect continued​ delays‍ and cancellations at‍ Delhi Airport as visibility remains reduced.




Airlines generally have robust contingency plans for ‌fog, including rerouting⁤ flights and using instrument landing systems. However, the extent of the delay ‍will depend on the severity of the fog and⁤ the volume of​ affected flights.

[Interviewer:] What advice would you give to travelers who have flights scheduled out of Delhi Airport today?

[Dr. Sharma:] The most critically important thing is to stay informed. closely monitor your flight status on the airline’s website or app,⁣ and check for updates from Delhi Airport authorities. Be prepared for potential delays or cancellations and pack accordingly.



If you have a connecting flight,allow extra time to account for possible disruptions.

[Interviewer:] Dr. Sharma, this has been very insightful. Thank you for sharing your expertise with⁢ us.

[Dr. Sharma:] You’re welcome.